How big is a truck blind spot?

That's unbelievable.

I suppose for the majority of us that drive cars, vans or even small lorries any blind spots are "fixed" so you can make allowances and/or double check. I hadn't even considered that the blind spot on articulated vehicles effectively moves depending on the angle of the cab in relation to the trailer.

Whilst I guess technology could be used (adaptive mirrors, cameras etc) I guess the onus should be on other road users not to get on the inside of artics?
 
Trucks should all be fitted with proximity warning sensors at the sides, like rear parking sensors.
 
Russ77 said:
That's unbelievable.

I suppose for the majority of us that drive cars, vans or even small lorries any blind spots are "fixed" so you can make allowances and/or double check. I hadn't even considered that the blind spot on articulated vehicles effectively moves depending on the angle of the cab in relation to the trailer.

Whilst I guess technology could be used (adaptive mirrors, cameras etc) I guess the onus should be on other road users not to get on the inside of artics?
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Frightening gap isn' it...large fixed trucks can hide nearly as much id suggest.

Yes exactly! Very simple solution and its in the highway code which we should make mandatory to read and abide by I think ...along with NO headphones! ;)

drounding said:
Trucks should all be fitted with proximity warning sensors at the sides, like rear parking sensors.
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Its not going to work though is it, not a any useful distance, because all the street furniture and whatnot that would also set it off...the driver wouldn't know he difference between a lamp post, bollard, or fence ....all of which are fine to be along side off.
 
drounding said:
Trucks should all be fitted with proximity warning sensors at the sides, like rear parking sensors.
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No need. They are usually fitted with competent drivers. It's the cars which need additional safety features to make up for their drivers' shortcomings.


Steve.
 
I am reminded of a film starring Sylvester Stalone as a truck driver (can't remember the title). On the back of his trailer, the mud flaps had "Passing Side" on the left and "Suicide" on the right.

As they drive on the wrong side of the road there, swap over left and right and it will be correct here.


Steve.
 
Yes it's scary, but people should really should think about :bang:
It's like when an artic swings out wide to turn right on a roundabout and some ejit tries to cut through inside
 
Steve Smith said:
No need. They are usually fitted with competent drivers. It's the cars which need additional safety features to make up for their drivers' shortcomings.


Steve.
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To some extent I agree but most of us do not/have not driven large trucks. I am 30yrs driving and whilst aware that trucks have limited vision I was shocked at just how much was hidden.

Steve
 
Ingrid.; Aye ...banging your head on a brick wall.

Steve Smith said:
I am reminded of a film starring Sylvester Stalone as a truck driver (can't remember the title). On the back of his trailer, the mud flaps had "Passing Side" on the left and "Suicide" on the right.

As they drive on the wrong side of the road there, swap over left and right and it will be correct here.


Steve.
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:lol: I like it, although you can bet the health and safety brigade would say its suicdeisum or some such BS wording.
 
jakeblu said:
To some extent I agree but most of us do not/have not driven large trucks. I am 30yrs driving and whilst aware that trucks have limited vision I was shocked at just how much was hidden.

Steve
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:clap: I applaud your honesty sir.

When I think of the intense rush hour traffic in London, which numbers of cyclist, bikes, cars and trucks is beyond reason! and goes on for several hours seemingly endless supply of fiercely competitive traffic...its madness we all do so well not to crush hundreds everyday.

Trust is the key, trust that others are following the highway code ....failing that trust puts us all in danger and inevitably the cyclist comes of worse, then the motorcyclist... No forgetting those pesky lemming pedestrians.
 
sorry to be the one , but that is a load of tosh ,,,,for a start all the mirrors seem to be set up wrong ,and they didnt even show the top mirror ,,,if they are all set up right there isnt a blind spot ,,,,
 
Steve Smith said:
I am reminded of a film starring Sylvester Stalone as a truck driver (can't remember the title). On the back of his trailer, the mud flaps had "Passing Side" on the left and "Suicide" on the right.

As they drive on the wrong side of the road there, swap over left and right and it will be correct here.


Steve.
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or the one on the right says overtakers , and the one on the left says undertakers ,unless you are in europe where its says undertakers on both sides :lol:
 
donut said:
sorry to be the one , but that is a load of tosh ,,,,for a start all the mirrors seem to be set up wrong ,and they didnt even show the top mirror ,,,if they are all set up right there isnt a blind spot ,,,,
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I agree. Obviously it's a set up sequence to try to educate cyclists to be more aware but there is no reason why any of that area should be out of view of a mirror and I wouldn't describe it as a blind spot.

The actual blind spot is if you are too close behind, hence the sticker on some trucks: "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you".

This actually backs up the point you made, If any road user to the side of the truck can see a mirror, then if the mirrors are set up properly, they can be seen by the driver.


Steve.
 
The trucks mirrors could have been adjusted better. No need for so much of the cab to be in view. The majority of artics and lorries I see, already carry the "If you can't see my mirrors....." and warning cyclists not to ride up the inside of them.
 
Haven't watched the clip, but I do recall two things from being a kid, both told to me by experienced drivers. The first a truck driver of many years - his was that if driving and you are sat behind a truck, if you can't see his mirrors, he can't see you! That now appears as stickers on many of them, but back then it didn't. The next one was from a policeman who was running the cycling proficiency classes at primary school [and later was running a road safety quiz competition amongst local schools], and it was don't ever ride your bicycle up the inside of a large vehicle at a junction and don't ride up the inside of a car indicating to turn left and even if it isn't indicating, be aware that it might anyway.

Regardless of any blind spot, those words of wisdom still stand imo and daily here in London I see people showing all signs of having no self preservation instincts and using no common sense like this at all - mainly cyclists, but drivers and bikers too.
 
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donut said:
sorry to be the one , but that is a load of tosh ,,,,for a start all the mirrors seem to be set up wrong ,and they didnt even show the top mirror ,,,if they are all set up right there isnt a blind spot ,,,,
Click to expand...

I agree the mirrors are set to show too much of the cab, however, when the cab starts to swing in, all those mirrors would show would be the side of the trailer, so there are always blind spots.
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
and if you've never driven a truck, and why would you have done
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To move stuff perhaps!

Mikesphotaes said:
I agree the mirrors are set to show too much of the cab, however, when the cab starts to swing in, all those mirrors would show would be the side of the trailer, so there are always blind spots.
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Have a look again. There are two mirrors per side. The lower mirrors could be set at a wider angle than they are at the moment.

The way they are set on the video, they are a little wider, but the view in both is largely the same. If the lower set were moved out a bit more, a lot more coverage would be available spread over both sets of mirrors.


Steve.
 
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Mikesphotaes said:
I agree the mirrors are set to show too much of the cab, however, when the cab starts to swing in, all those mirrors would show would be the side of the trailer, so there are always blind spots.
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not the convex one ,


beaten by Steve
 
Steve Smith said:
To move stuff perhaps!



Have a look again. There are two mirrors per side. The lower mirrors could be set at a wider angle than they are at the moment.

The way they are set on the video, they are a little wider, but the view in both is largely the same. If the lower set were moved out a bit more, a lot more coverage would be available spread over both sets of mirrors.


Steve.
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I agreed about the mirrors being angled too far in and your point about more coverage.

However this only applies when cab and trailer are in line, NOT when cab starts to swing in.
 
Mikesphotaes said:
I agreed about the mirrors being angled too far in and your point about more coverage.

However this only applies when cab and trailer are in line, NOT when cab starts to swing in.
Click to expand...

The large mirrors are for normal use, the lower mirrors have a larger field of view.


Steve.
 
donut said:
sorry to be the one , but that is a load of tosh ,,,,for a start all the mirrors seem to be set up wrong ,and they didnt even show the top mirror ,,,if they are all set up right there isnt a blind spot ,,,,
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Tosh!

The mirrors are set perfectly, you can see both clearly, what you've missed is that the cab is turned slightly so as to show how extreme the loss of vision is.

:bonk:
 
Not all cyclists do ride up the inside of trucks. Some are overtaken by them then trucks forget they're there and just squash them. Remember the footage of Boris Johnson nearly being punted into parked cars by a truck?

Paris has banned hgvs during rush hours from certain roads. Considering the rate at which they're mowing down cyclists at the moment it might be a wise thing to do here....
 
if you wanna fight about it pal , you'd best come down ere for a meet ,,,,( Whistable alright ? )
 
when the camera it taken outside ,you can see how badly the lower mirror is positioned ,,its almost looking straight back into the cab
 
Two points:

1. At any cab to trailer angle, it's possible to have a mirror set so you can see what is at the side of you.

2. In situations such as the one set up in the video, the cyclists would be seen when the truck was in a straight ahead position anyway. They don't just materialise as soon as the steering wheel is turned. And as the normal practice is to constantly look left mirror - straight ahead - right mirror - straight ahead - etc, I don't think it's as much of a problem as it is being made out to be,

However, the purpose of this video is to educate cyclists to not get into potentially dangerous situations so it makes more sense to show a worst case scenario.


Steve.
 
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srichards said:
Not all cyclists do ride up the inside of trucks. Some are overtaken by them then trucks forget they're there and just squash them. Remember the footage of Boris Johnson nearly being punted into parked cars by a truck?
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Linky please I could do with a laugh :lol:
srichards said:
Paris has banned hgvs during rush hours from certain roads. Considering the rate at which they're mowing down cyclists at the moment it might be a wise thing to do here....
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My daughters studying at UCL, I have banned her from using the Boris bikes, I have enough to worry about her studying in London without extra worry regarding her on the roads.

Steve
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
Tosh!

The mirrors are set perfectly, you can see both clearly, what you've missed is that the cab is turned slightly so as to show how extreme the loss of vision is.

:bonk:
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If the video had shown the view from the mirror mounted on top of the door facing down, at least 6 of the cyclists would have been in clear view.
 
Steve Smith said:
Two points:

1. At any cab to trailer angle, it's possible to have a mirror set so you can see what is at the side of you.

2. In situations such as the one set up in the video, the cyclists would be seen when the truck was in a straight ahead position anyway. They don't just materialise as soon as the steering wheel is turned. And as the normal practice is to constantly look left mirror - straight ahead - right mirror - straight ahead - etc, I don't think it's as much of a problem as it is being made out to be,

However, the purpose of this video is to educate cyclists to not get into potentially dangerous situations so it makes more sense to show a worst case scenario.


Steve.
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As a trucker I would like to put your answers right.

1. Wrong. There can be huge blind spots when the cab to trailer angle adjusts. Those blind spots happen on BOTH sides of the vehicle.

2. Wrong. The position of the truck in this video is normal for the manoeuvre intended, as the driver can't see the rear of the trailer anything that 'sneaks up' the inside is invisible. Cars do this often then get stroppy when the tarmac runs out ;)

Another point to add is that the mirrors could be slightly wider and that is my preference for driving. I usually know the colour of the cab so have little need to check it every time I use the mirrors. Also, this is a narrow cab truck and that means the mirrors show the flared sides at the rear of the cab.

On my current truck, I have a good set of mirrors that give me a very wide view but it still has blind spots. The hardest part of my job is not my driving, it's second guessing what every other driver is doing ;)

Phil.
 
Thanks I found this useful and have reposted- we can argue about the mirrors etc but it's good to make people think about this either way.
 
phil8139 said:
As a trucker I would like to put your answers right.



2. Wrong. The position of the truck in this video is normal for the manoeuvre intended, ;)

Phil.
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which was what ??
 
donut said:
which was what ??
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Turning left.

As I have only driven rigids (and an articulated once) and never got round to converting my provisional class C licence to a full licence, I will bow to Phil's superior knowledge.

I still stand by what I said earlier that if the cyclist can see the mirror and the driver can see the mirror, it is possible to place that mirror in a position where the driver can see the cyclist. It's simple geometry.

Bearing in mind that some trailers have rear steering axles, it would be trivial to make mirrors which automatically adjust to cab angle. Do they exist? if not, they should.


Steve.
 
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Being a class one driver,having had my license for some 26 years so having experience in the matter, two things jumped out at me.

The wide angle lower mirror is really, badly set, it should be angled to show hardly any of the cab,the larger mirror does that, and more of the road on that side.

And,WTF would cyclists being doing riding down there if the truck has its LH indicator on, which it does.

The reason the trucks sit in the middle of the road sometimes when turning left is that we need that space to get the trailer around the corner without dragging it over the pavements. People really need to understand how much room they need for manouvering and ,more importantly, how much room they need to stop.

Also, before it kicks off, they are some real asswipes that drive trucks who really should not be licensed to do so.
 
And iv just bought a new pushbike lol

Rob.
 
fracster said:
Being a class one driver,having had my license for some 26 years so having experience in the matter, two things jumped out at me.

The wide angle lower mirror is really, badly set, it should be angled to show hardly any of the cab,the larger mirror does that, and more of the road on that side.

And,WTF would cyclists being doing riding down there if the truck has its LH indicator on, which it does.
Click to expand...

I think the point is that it is a video intended to educate vulnerable road users not to put themselves into positions of danger and it's much easier to do that showing the worst case scenario (as they have). If the video showed mirrors with a wide view, the message would be 'go where you like, we can see you' which would be contrary to the message they are trying to put across.

It was not intended to be dissected and criticised like we have been doing here. The intent is to educate and the method of using surprise is a good way of getting the point across.


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
I think the point is that it is a video intended to educate vulnerable road users not to put themselves into positions of danger and it's much easier to do that showing the worst case scenario (as they have). If the video showed mirrors with a wide view, the message would be 'go where you like, we can see you' which would be contrary to the message they are trying to put across.

It was not intended to be dissected and criticised like we have been doing here. The intent is to educate and the method of using surprise is a good way of getting the point across.


Steve.
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Most certainly it is the point of the video, however what I and others have been trying to do here is to get folk to realise what happens to mirror vision when the cab starts turning.

I thought it was a simple concept:rolleyes:
 
donut said:
if you wanna fight about it pal , you'd best come down ere for a meet ,,,,( Whistable alright ? )
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Tomorrow you mean? ..... prepare for a thumb wrestle tough guy! Soz BTW, ya bloody thread derailer you. :boxer:

donut said:
when the camera it taken outside ,you can see how badly the lower mirror is positioned ,,its almost looking straight back into the cab
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Well maybe, but its subjective init, I don't think it matters much, maybe a few feet with trimming, but still their would be a whole heap of blind space right? ..no matter how fantastic the modern mirror might be.

Been looking at graphics this morning, I think this ones pretty good?
truck_blind_spots.jpg
 
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