Take extra care around HGVs and other large vehicles, because their blind spots are larger. Be aware that the driver may not be able to see you. If you’re in the driver’s blind spot, he/she is blind to you: as a pedestrian, as a motorist, as a motorcyclist or as a cyclist.
HGV drivers often have a sign on the rear of the vehicle (like, ‘If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you’) to alert you that they will be unable to see anyone or anything in their blind spot. Avoid remaining in another vehicle’s blind spot any longer than necessary.
Driving a lorry is very different to driving a car. The HGV driver can’t see anything behind you other than the trailer. Their only vision is in front of you and in the side mirrors.
They don’t know if someone is immediately behind them, and they can’t see what is ahead of their HGV or if they are going to have to brake sharply for any reason.
While if someone pulls in front of a HGV without leaving enough room, the lorry driver might not be able to see them at all in the blind spot below the cab and therefore won’t be able to judge their stopping distance properly.
Keep a safe distance and be aware of HGV’s indicators or any movement they make towards you and be aware of your position on the road, should you need to manoeuvre safely away.
Remember the front blind spot from the driver’s cab – the driver will not be able to see you (walker, cyclist, motorcyclist, driver) if you are directly in front of the vehicle. The HGV driver cannot see between the front windscreen and the ground.
Blind spots on HGVs are much larger than you might expect, so never take a chance. Try and catch the driver’s eye to make sure he has seen you especially if you are trying to cross the road.
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