What Is A “No Zone” In Driving?

Being able to see clearly where other motorists are on the road and what they are doing is essential to safe driving. Mirrors help us see what’s behind us and to the sides of our vehicles, but there can still be areas of the roadway that we are not able to see. Some newer cars have technology to ensure you don’t cross into a lane while another vehicle is there, helping you avoid accidents.

However, for larger vehicles like semi-trucks, “no zones” are not only larger, they are much more dangerous for smaller vehicles sharing the road. It’s important to understand that driving in certain areas near the truck means the driver may not be able to see you when they switch lanes or make other decisions while driving.

No Zones Are Blind Spots to a Commercial Vehicle Driver

There are four areas around a tractor-trailer truck or similarly sized vehicle where the driver cannot see portions of the roadway near the truck they are driving. The driver’s blind spots are termed no (driving) zones because accidents are more likely to happen when other motorists are driving in them.

The “No Zone” Campaign was introduced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 1994 when directed by Congress to help educate drivers about sharing the highways with commercial motor vehicles. this program was further enhanced in 2016 with the Our Roads, Our Safety program.

The Four No Zones Around an 18-Wheeler

There are four no zone areas around a large (long) commercial vehicle. When another vehicle is traveling in one of these areas, a semi-truck’s driver may not be aware of the other vehicle, thus increasing the risk of an accident.

• Zone 1 – The area about 20 feet directly in front of the hood.
• Zone 2 – The driver’s side adjoining lane area from the door of the truck to the middle of the trailer.
• Zone 3 – The passenger side of the vehicle (right) no zone is the largest zone and extends from the front of the truck all the way to the rear and across three lanes of travel.
• Zone 4 – The area directly behind a commercial vehicle. If a vehicle is following a truck too closely to see one or both side mirrors, the truck’s driver cannot see the vehicle behind it.

What Can Happen When You Drive in a No Zone

When other vehicles drive in a truck’s no zone, the truck’s driver cannot properly consider the presence of the other vehicle when making driving decisions, and accidents are often the result.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts 2021 Data, 81% of fatal accidents involving large trucks were multiple-vehicle accidents.

The most common impact point between a truck and another vehicle was front to front. Almost 32% of the fatal two-vehicle accidents involving large trucks were head-on collisions.

Over 22% of the fatal accidents involved the front end of the other vehicle and the rear of the truck. Another 13% involved the front end of the truck and the left side of the other vehicle. About 8% involved the front of the other vehicle and the left side of the truck.

Texans need to be especially alert about driving in truck no zones because the state has so many commercial trucks on its roads. Texas not only had the most large trucks involved in fatal crashes, it also had more traffic fatalities than any other state in 2022, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Over 810 deaths were related to large truck accidents, nearly twice as many as the next state, California.

The Danger of Underride and Override Accidents When Driving in a No Zone

An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under the body of a truck due to the height difference between the two vehicles. Underride accidents can occur at the rear of the larger vehicle or the side.

A passenger vehicle following a large truck too closely could be in danger of an underride accident if the truck stops suddenly and the smaller vehicle is not able to stop. Similarly, a vehicle traveling in a no zone alongside a truck could be in danger of a side underride accident if the truck driver does not see the vehicle and attempts to change lanes.

An override accident occurs when a larger vehicle basically runs over a smaller vehicle. Vehicles traveling too close to the front of a truck could risk an override accident if traffic slows rapidly and the truck driver cannot see the smaller vehicle or is unable to stop quickly enough. The trucks typically impact the smaller vehicles at the hood or window levels, which can result in extremely serious or fatal injuries to the occupants.

Who Is to Blame in No Zone Driving Accidents?

Drivers of commercial motor vehicles are responsible for determining whether they can safely execute any driving maneuver. If a truck driver fails to use appropriate caution to ensure blind spots are free of other vehicles and an accident results, the driver may be found liable.

The trucking company employing the driver may also be legally responsible for the driver’s conduct if the driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the accident. Texas holds employers vicariously liable for the actions of employees because the law presumes employees are acting on behalf of their employers. A trucking company may also have actual liability for a no zone driving accident if the company committed a wrong, such as failing to properly train a driver or not installing or maintaining appropriate safety equipment on the vehicle.

Drivers of other vehicles who are injured while driving in no zones are generally not responsible for the accident just because they were in a no zone. While strongly discouraged, driving in truck no zones is sometimes unavoidable due to traffic, weather, or other road conditions. However, the driver of another vehicle who engages in risky driving behaviors such as speeding, following too closely, or making unsafe lane changes may be found to have some contributing liability when a no zone accident occurs.

Tips for Safe Driving Near Large Trucks

The key to safe driving in any situation is to be aware of the risks and pay attention to the road so potentially dangerous situations can be avoided or minimized. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises passenger vehicle drivers to do the following when driving near large trucks and buses:

• Be aware of and try not to drive in no zones.
• Remember that larger vehicles need more time and space to stop.
• Anticipate the extra room longer vehicles need to turn – especially to the right.
• Don’t attempt to pass on the right side.
• Be patient and respect the driving differences between passenger and larger vehicles.

How to Recover Compensation for Injuries From a No Zone Trucking Accident

No matter how carefully any of us tries to drive, circumstances arise, and accidents still happen. Getting into an accident with a large truck can result in serious injuries to the occupants of a smaller vehicle. Helping injured clients get full and fair compensation from truck drivers and trucking companies is a dedicated practice of the Houston law office of Dax F. Garza, P.C.