Behaviours

Visibility Around Heavy Vehicles

A blind spot is an area of the road outside the driver's field of vision that cannot be seen in the rearview mirrors or through the windows. The taller and longer the vehicle, the bigger the blind spots.

What is a blind spot?

A blind spot is an area of the road outside the driver's field of vision that cannot be seen in the rear-view mirrors or through the windows.

Every vehicle has blind spots

In general, the taller and longer the vehicle, the bigger the blind spots.

All types of vehicles feature pillars that create blind spots, not only SUVs or heavy vehicles. A smaller vehicle with narrower pillars, but with a shorter distance between the driver and the steering wheel, may also create blind spots that can hide other road users. For that reason, it is important to familiarize yourself with the blind spots created by the pillars of the vehicle you are driving, especially if it is a new vehicle.

Where are blind spots located?

Blind spots are all around vehicles, but their size and location vary according to the type of vehicle. The main blind spots are located in front, at the rear, on the sides and behind the windshield pillars of the vehicle.

Blind Spots Created by the Pillars on Either Side of the Windshield

The pillars on either side of the windshield hold the windshield to the vehicle.

The shape and the width of the pillars, as well as the distance between the driver and the steering wheel, have a significant impact on the size and position of the blind spots that are created.

The pillars can create blind spots for both left and right turns, and vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, moped or scooter drivers, motorcyclists) may be invisible during much of the turn.

There are also other blind spots, such as those caused by rearview mirrors and pillars on either side of the windshield.

Some types of vehicles, such as tool vehicles and vehicles fitted with auxiliary equipment (e.g. snowblowers, snowplows, etc.) can have additional blind spots. When you are near one of these vehicles, be careful!

Heavy vehicle blind spots

Straight-body truck

1. In front: the longer the hood, the bigger the blind spot. A small car could fit in this spot undetected.
2. On the sides: since visibility on the sides is limited by blind spots, the driver has only rearview mirrors to rely on.
3. At the rear: the rear blind spot is very long. It is important to pay attention when a truck is backing up.

City bus

1. In front: the front blind spot is small because city buses have flat fronts. However, bike racks may limit visibility.
2. On the sides: because of the bus's large size, its side blind spots cover a significant area even with properly adjusted rearview mirrors. Side blind spots are even bigger for articulated buses.
3. At the rear: even though the rear window makes the rear blind spot shorter, it is still important to pay attention when a bus is backing up.
4. In front, on the left-hand side: the wider the pillar, the bigger the blind spot.

Motor coach (intercity bus)

1. In front: the front blind spot is similar to that of a city bus because of its flat front. However, its driver's compartment is higher, making its blind spots bigger.
2. On the sides: because of the motor coach's significant size and height, its side blind spots cover a large area.
3. At the rear: the rear blind spot is very long because motor coaches do not have rear windows. It is important to pay close attention when a motor coach is backing up.

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Last update: June  4, 2022