blindzone workshops
competencies desired:
I will remember…
where to place myself and my vehicle (bike) so a truck driver can see me
that overtaking on the left of a HV carries a high risk
And I have been shown…
that trucks may move straight forward from a stop before turning, to clear a corner
that heavy vehicles bodies will swing wide of their wheel tracks
that heavy vehicles’ rear axles may turn up to 2m ‘tighter’ than front axles
“It’s a total eye opener! Unless you have sat in the driver’s seat of a large truck you have no idea just how little you can see from up there. All people who ride on the road should do a Share the Road Blindzone Workshop.”
What can the driver see?
Participants see the road from the driver’s point of view. Being asked to memorise the number of bikes he/she can see, and compare it to the number actually parked around the truck, helps understanding.
Participants are put in an imaginary scenario which requires them to note the mirror configuration and make a scan of the surrounding space in a limited time.
Where can I be to be safe when sharing the road with a heavy vehicle?
Wheel tracking and Swing Zone Exercise:
Participants are asked to imagine truck making slow left turn around a suitably-placed cone. Facilitator/ HV driver guides participants through description of turn: Trucks will move straight forward before swinging left.
Participants are asked to measure 2m inwards from rearmost axle of truck which may describe swept path of rear axle.
Participants are made aware that rear axle can follow narrower radius.
Participants gather at side of truck, in view of axles.
Participants are made aware that swing zones can occur between axles and behind rear axle, if load overhangs.