LGV / HGV Blind Spots.

Caporegime
Joined
25 Nov 2004
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25,812
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On the road....
Seems to me that many motorists have little or no idea of the blind spots in a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) or, truck to you & I.

So, I got out my trusty camera to show you just what can be seen from the mirrors of a 44 tonner.

Also, after a bit of googling, I found a diagram that roughly gives an idea of the field of vision for the average artic driver.

Most of this is fairly self-explanatory. Hopefully it's helpful.
The darker the shade of green the harder it is for the driver to see you-ASSUMING HE'S LOOKING IN THE CORRECT MIRROR to see you.
Red areas are completely blind to the driver.Note the blind areas directly in front and to the right of the cab. They are big enough to lose someone pushing a cycle flat against the truck.
340t.jpg

Pic1
341t.jpg

Pic2
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Pic3
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Pic4
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Pic5

Pic 1) and pic 2) Truck turning left/on a left hand bend.
Rear of the trailer will be moving closer to the kerb and further to the left than the cab.
The cab will be on the white line or even crossing into the other carriageway depending on how sharp the turn is and how wide the road is.
Driver is HIGHLY unlikely to be looking in his right hand mirror unless to check if the corner of the trailer is in the right hand lane-and all he'll see in it is the headboard of the trailer if he is.
Predominantly he'll be looking in the left mirror/ahead.

Pic 3) Truck going in a straight line.
This is also the same visibility as a rigid or non-articulated vehicle. Assume the driver is using his mirrors only in the direction of travel in a rigid vehicle.
If the truck is stationary or it's safe to do so-(ie assuming no oncoming traffic there needs to be no bends in the road coming up and the truck isn't indicating) then this is the safest time to overtake.
DO NOT UNDERTAKE while it's moving-and if you MUST undertake then only do so if you KNOW the truck isn't going to move before you're past.
DO NOT pull up in the nearside red zone by the cab.The kerbside mirror shows very little. If the driver is going to miss you,unless you're directly behind the trailer this is where he'll miss you while the truck is stationary.
We'd far rather you pulled up directly in front of us and we could see you.

Pic 4) and pic 5) Truck turning right/on a right hand bend.
Rear of the trailer will be on the white line or even crossing into the other carriageway depending on how sharp the turn is and how wide the road is.
BEWARE the back end of the trailer-if this is a very sharp bend the rear of the trailer will be moving to the left as it pivots round the axles. This is a SERIOUS crush hazard and the driver CANNOT SEE IT at all and is unlikely to know the trailer has hit someone. I once ripped the front bumper and valence from a Discovery that tried to push through and I didn't feel it.
Driver will be splitting attention between right mirror(back of trailer),left mirror(Is the headboard going to intrude on the path?) and ahead.

If an articulated lorry isn't stopped in a straight line DON'T undertake. Your chances of being seen are slim if bent left and nil if bent right and you're likely to get crushed as either the cab or trailer will be coming very close to the kerb.
For the same reason don't cycle up behind one in the red zone at speed then pass-the driver may already have committed to a manoeuvre because his mirrors look clear.


Shoot me for taking pictures of my mirrors whilst moving, but, I decided to add those to give you all a true idea of the view from mine & many other HGV mirrors.

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Nearside Mirror
P2180166.jpg

Offside Mirror
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Kerb mirror.
Note, the rig is straight, so I can clearly see down both sides, as soon as an artic turns, this is not the case!
I hope the above is of some use, if it helps one person here not get side swiped by an HGV, then I'm a happy bunny.:)
 
Last edited:
Associate
Joined
28 Feb 2007
Posts
1,479
I saw the serious crush you describe in pictures 4 and 5. Stupid move really by the car driver as it was on a roundabout so should always give space for truckt.
Merc got destroyed down one side and the truck driver just kept driving, didnt even feel it :D
 
Soldato
Joined
31 Oct 2006
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Location
Wiltshire / Winchester
Heh I just try to stay away from lorries, Cars have trouble seeing me never mind lorries, At roundabouts aswell always keep back lol, the amount of cars I see trying to go underneath lorries when the lorry obviously has to go out wide is unbelievable.
 

4T5

4T5

Man of Honour
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Middle of England
Agreed, ignore the likes of shrek2.

Agreed.
I always say to myself If I can't see the mirrors they can't see me. I have seen a car that has been run over by the trailer wheels though, kind of sticks in your mind a bit :p
A mates brother drives HGV & was parked in a lay by when a car ploughed into the back of him, He said it didn't spill his tea :p
 
Associate
Joined
18 Jan 2006
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2,244
Location
Newport
I agree, a very informative thread.

I'd never given much thought to the blind spots of a truck, but they are bigger than expected, especially that one to the right of the cab. Thanks for taking the time to post.
 
Soldato
Joined
5 Mar 2006
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3,975
Location
Nottingham
I feel for you, I lost a HGV in my blindspot pulling onto the M1 earlier today and mine doesn't even class as an LGV! Luckily he was polite enough to have already shifted into the middle lane to let me out, otherwise I would have had fun...
 
Soldato
Joined
8 Mar 2006
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13,300
Location
Near Winchester
Helped me I guess, didn't know about that one to the Right and back of the cab. Although I tend to try and spot the driver's face to know if He can see me.

And I'm going to have to shoot you for the mess too. A mate of mine got a 24 day ban after a plastic drinks bottle slipped under his pedals during an emergency manoeuvre, causing him to crash.
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
8,969
Location
UK
...calling out trolls was popular on OcUK/interweb even as long as 4 years ago?!?!
trucks can't see much behind them in their mirrors?!?!?
Which is the biggest surprise?
 
Soldato
Joined
26 Aug 2010
Posts
3,516
Location
glasgow
i think another to point out is not to pull out infront of tankers. a short but sharp jolt on the brakes will cause a very severe wave effect in the tank
 
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