1. What are the common truck blind spots ?
Trucks and other large vehicles actually have multiple dangerous blind spots due to their size. Within these blind zones, pedestrians, vehicles, and obstacles can completely disappear from the truck driver’s line of sight, which is a major cause of blind zone accidents.
Let’s highlight these blind spots!
Front View Blind Zone: Located directly in front of the truck’s low side, extending (20-30) feet in front of the vehicle, making it difficult for the driver to see small vehicle pedestrians or objects close to the front bumper.
Rear View Blind Zone: Directly behind the truck, the length and height of the truck obstructs the view of the area directly behind. This area is dangerous because the truck driver is unable to view the rear environment through the rear view mirror.
Side View Blind Zone:
Left Side: Extends from the driver’s door toward the rear of the truck. This blind spot is usually smaller than the right side and is relatively easier for the driver to check, but is still important enough for novice drivers to be more aware of.
Right Side: Larger than the left side blind spot, it extends from the passenger side mirror to the rear of the trailer. Vehicles travelling in the right-hand lane next to the truck may be hidden from the driver’s view, so drivers should be extra careful.
2. According to incomplete statistics, thousands of people die each year in the United States due to safety issues caused by truck blind spots !
With regard to traffic accidents due to truck safety problems on global scale, although it is difficult to obtain uniform and detailed data, basic understanding can be gained from the statistics of number of countries. In the United States, for example, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people die each year in large truck-related crashes, many of which are directly related to truck drivers’ blind spots. In Europe and elsewhere, while the exact numbers vary, reported accidents also typically involve limited vision and blind spots.
These data also reflect the stark reality that truck blind spots are global road safety challenge. Some strategies to address this problem include the use of advanced driver assistance systems to reduce blind spots, such as the installation of additional cameras and monitors. The application of these technologies can help improve road safety and reduce accidents caused by blind spots.
3. The Role & Importance of In-Vehicle Camera Monitoring Systems.
Vehicle camera monitoring systems play a key role in addressing the global road safety challenges of other large vehicles such as trucks. By installing in-vehicle cameras in key locations of the vehicle, drivers are able to see clearly around the vehicle on the in-vehicle monitor, effectively reducing the risk of collisions due to blind spots. These systems are not only able to real-time monitoring around the vehicle/critical areas, (some systems with DVR function) can also record the driving process, providing key evidence for accident liability analysis and judgement, and providing an additional safeguard for road traffic safety.
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4. Truck Camera Monitoring System Deployment Guide.
Considering the characteristics of the truck’s blind zones and their potential risks, it is recommended to deploy cameras at the following key locations for optimal surveillance (please note that the following is only a recommendation, and the exact deployment should be adjusted according to the actual surveillance results and needs):
Front Low Blind Zone: Optionally, a ‘front view’ camera can be deployed on the top of the cockpit or the front windscreen. The large angle of the camera covers the ground area directly in front of the truck, helping the driver to clearly see low obstacles and small vehicles in front of him.
Rear Blind Zone: A rear-mounted ‘rear view’ camera is deployed in a high position and looks down. Maximising the rear view allows the driver to clearly see vehicles, pedestrians and obstacles behind them when reversing or monitoring rear traffic.
Left and Right Side Blind Spots: For potential blind spots on either side of the truck, a ‘side view’ camera can be mounted on the front of the truck in the upper diagonal corner of the front end or in the middle of the rear tailgate. The comprehensive side and rear view cameras effectively cover the blind spots on both sides of the truck, providing a full side view when changing lanes or turning, significantly reducing the risk of side impact.
How do I get power for the camera?
Power is obtained directly from the on-board monitor. The monitor itself is connected directly to the truck’s main power system (e.g., 12V or 24V power supply), and then the power is distributed to each camera via an extension cord connection cable.
5. Fleet Managers May Consider Installing These Systems On Their Vehicles !
It is recommended that fleet managers operations managers install in-vehicle camera surveillance systems for their team’s vehicles to improve the overall safety and operational efficiency of their fleet. The system reduces the blind spots of trucks, significantly reduces the incidence of traffic accidents and enhances driver safety on the road. Recorded video footage can quickly determine liability after an accident, helping to mitigate legal disputes and reduce insurance costs. Deploying a camera surveillance system is a smart, long-term investment that brings continued safety, security and financial benefits to fleets.
Conclusion
This article leads you to an in-depth discussion on the key role and benefits of vehicle camera monitoring systems for trucks, especially in addressing safety risks arising from truck blind spots. The multiple blind zones that exist in trucks, such as front, rear and side blind zones, often allow pedestrians, vehicles and obstacles to disappear from the driver’s line of sight, greatly increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Globally, large truck-related accidents result in thousands of injuries and fatalities each year, and these statistics highlight the urgent need to enhance truck driving safety.
By installing vehicle camera monitoring systems on trucks, these blind spots can be significantly reduced, providing a continuous and clear peripheral vision that enables drivers to recognise and respond to potentially dangerous situations. In addition, these systems can record video of the vehicle, providing evidence for accident analysis and liability determination, further improving safety and optimising the accident handling process.
As a leading supplier of in-vehicle electronics, AOTOP offers a wide range of high-quality ISO, CE and E-Mark certified cameras and monitor systems, which have been widely used in the global market and are highly recognised by the industry. For fleet managers, investing in such efficient camera surveillance systems not only improves fleet driving safety and reduces accident rates, but also delivers long-term economic benefits through fewer legal disputes and lower insurance costs.
