Every day, road accidents occur for a variety of reasons — driver error, weather conditions, road infrastructure, and the list goes on. One of the most common causes of accidents for truck drivers is when another vehicle enters the truck driver’s blind spot.
A blind spot is a section of road that cannot be seen immediately. This is a typical occurrence for truck drivers. It is more unsafe for other road users to be in this region since the truck is enormous and heavy, increasing its inertia and braking distance. Neither rear-view mirrors nor the driver’s peripheral vision are sufficient to eliminate blind spots, and one must simply rely on the fact that other road users are aware of their presence.
NIKSI COMPANY LLC, a transportation and logistics company, emphasizes the significance of truck drivers and other road users being aware of their blind zones. We advocate for safe cargo transportation.
To avert potential mishaps and hazardous situations, France has launched a new initiative effective 1 January 2021 that includes a new requirement for carriers. Trucks having a gross weight greater than 3.5 tons will be required to display specific stickers showing the truck’s blind zones in the future. These stickers are required in all circumstances – whether driving to or from France or traversing the country in transit. Failure to display these stickers will result in a set penalty of 135 EUR on average.
Many traffic participants cannot fathom the concept of being “invisible” – the stickers will alert those who perform the overtaking move. As a result, the stickers will have a certain placement – on the sides of the truck’s cabin, as well as on the sides of a trailer or semi-trailer.
Where do stickers go on a truck?
Truck with a semi-trailer: • In front of the motor vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm (except on the glazed portions of the vehicle); • On the right and left side of the motor vehicle within 100cm of the front wing of the vehicle – height within 90 and 150cm; • On the right and left side of the semi-trailer within 100cm of the point of hitch; • At the end of the semi-trailer, on the right side –
• In front of the motor vehicle – between 90 and 150cm in height (except on glazed areas of the vehicle); • On the right and left side of the motor vehicle within 100cm of the front wing of the vehicle – within 90 to 150cm in height; • On the right and left side of the trailer within 100cm of the front wing of the trailer – within 90 to 150cm in height;
For a lorry: • In front of the vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm (except on glazed portions of the vehicle); • On the right and left sides of the vehicle – height between 90 and 150cm; • At the vehicle’s end, on the right side – height between 90 and 150cm.
Reminder to truck drivers: stickers will not suffice to save you! Even with the stickers, always check your side-view mirrors and over your shoulder before crossing the lane. This way, you can contribute to a decrease in the number of accidents.
The following situations require the most attention: • When exiting the exit lane; • When exiting the parking lot; • When entering or exiting the roundabout; • When changing lanes; • When turning onto another road or in turns.
Reminder to bicycle riders – when riding along the roadside or in a designated bicycle lane, keep in mind that the bicycle must be outfitted in accordance with applicable traffic laws.
Reminder to pedestrians: Always maintain visibility for the driver.
http://www.atd.lv
This item was republished from the NIKSI COMPANY LLC website. NIKSI COMPANY LLC is a transportation company that specializes in international and domestic cargo carriage, transportation services, and other logistics solutions, including transportation by road (mainland; FCL, LCL), transportation by air, transportation by rail, and transportation by sea, as well as customs agent services, large-sized, out-of-gauge, and heavy cargo carriage, warehouse services, hazardous (ADR) cargo carriage, cargo insurance, and personal belongings carriage.
