The following information is provided for the enlightenment of all drivers. The information comes from a brochure prepared by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Department of Safety. There is no copyright notice on the brochure, but I want to give credit to whom it is due for this material.
You can help promote WRECKless driving by knowing the "No-Zone". The No-Zone represents danger areas around trucks where crashes are more likely to occur.
Passing:
When cars cut in too soon after passing, then abruptly slow down, truck drivers
are forced to compensate with little time or room to spare. Because it takes
longer to pass a large vehicle, you should maintain a consistent speed when
passing and be sure you can see the cab of the truck in your rear-view before
pulling in front.
Backing Up:
When a truck is backing up, it sometimes must temporarily block the street to
maneuver its trailer accurately. Never pass close behind a truck that is
preparing to back up or is in the process of backing up. Remember, most trailers
are 8 1/2 feet wide and can completely hide objects that suddenly come between
them and a loading area. So if you try to pass behind the truck, you enter a
(No-Zone) blindspot for you and the truck driver.
Rear Blindspots:
Unlike cars, trucks have deep blindspots directly behind them. Avoid tailgating
in this No-Zone. The truck driver can't see your car in this position and your
own view of traffic flow is severely reduced. Following too closely greatly
increases your chance of a rear-end collision with a truck.
Side Blindspots:
Trucks have much larger blindspots on both sides of their vehicles than passenger
vehicles (cars). When you drive in these blindspots (No-Zones) for any length
of time, you can't be seen by truck drivers. If a commercial driver needs to
change lanes quickly for any reason, a serious crash could occur with the vehicle
in the No-Zone.
Wide Turns:
Truck drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely
negotiate a right turn. They cannot see cars directly behind or beside them.
Cutting in between the commericial vehicle and the curb or shoulder to the
right increases the possibility of a crash.
Don't hang out in the NO-ZONE!