Accidents on the roads happen every day and their causes are mixed – oversight, weather conditions, road infrastructure and the list goes on. When it comes to truck drivers, one of the most common causes of accidents is when another car enters truck driver's blind spot.

The blind spot is an area of the road that cannot be directly observed. This is a common encounter that truck drivers have to face. For other traffic participants it is more dangerous to be in this area, because the truck is large and heavy, that increases its inertia and braking distance. Neither rear-view mirrors nor driver’s peripheral vision suffice to avoid the blind spots, and one simply has to rely on the fact that other traffic participants are aware of the existence of blind spots.

Transport and logistics company Vervo LLC emphasizes importance of knowing the blind spots both for truck drivers and other traffic participants. We support safe cargo carriage.

In order to avoid potential accidents and hazardous situations, as of 1 January 2021 France has launched a new initiative adopting a new requirement for carriers. In future, trucks with gross weight exceeding 3.5 tons must be marked with special stickers indicating at the truck’s blind spots. Such stickers are mandatory in any case – whether driving to or from France and crossing France in transit. Absence of these stickers will be subject to a fixed penalty, that is 135 EUR on average

Many traffic participants cannot even imagine being “invisible” – the stickers will warn those traffic participants who do the overtaking maneuver. Therefore, the stickers will have a strict location point – at the sides of truck’s cabin and also on the sides of a trailer or semi-trailer.

Location of stickers on a truck

Truck with a semi-trailer:
• In front of the motor vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm (except on the glazed parts of the vehicle);
• On the right and left side of the motor vehicle in range of 100cm from the front wing of the vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm;
• On the right and left side of the semi-trailer in range of 100cm from the point of hitch;
• At the end of the semi-trailer, on the right side – height between 90 and 150cm.

Truck with a trailer:
• In front of the motor vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm (except on the glazed parts of the vehicle);
• On the right and left side of the motor vehicle in range of 100cm from the front wing of the vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm;
• On the right and left side of the trailer in range of 100cm from the front wing of the trailer – height between 90 and 150cm;
• At the end of the trailer, on the right side – height between 90 and 150cm.

For a lorry:
• In front of the motor vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm (except on the glazed parts of the vehicle);
• On the right and left side of the motor vehicle in range of 100cm from the front plane of the vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm;
• At the end of the vehicle, on the right side – height between 90 and 150cm.

Reminder to the truck drivers — stickers alone will not save you! Even if the stickers are present, always take a look into the side-view mirrors and over the shoulder before crossing the lane. By doing this you can contribute to a reduced number of accidents.

Moments requiring most attention:
• When driving out of the exit lane;
• When driving out of the parking lot;
• When driving in or out of the roundabout;
• When changing the lane;
• When turning on another road or in turns.

Reminder to bicycle riders – when you ride along the roadside or bicycle lane, remember that the bicycle must be equipped according to the traffic rules.

Reminder to pedestrians – always make sure you are visible to the driver.

Source: http://www.atd.lv

This article is republished from the website of Vervo LLC. Vervo LLC is a transport company operating in international and local cargo carriage, transport services and other logistics solutions: carriage by road (mainland; FCL, LCL), carriage by air, carriage by rail, carriage by sea, customs agent services, large-sized, out-of-gauge and heavy cargo carriage, warehouse services, hazardous (ADR) cargo carriage, cargo insurance, carriage of personal belongings.