Hidden Hazard! 95% of Americans Don’t Realize They Might Be in a Truck’s Blind Spot [Survey]

Every year, there are hundreds of thousands of crashes involving large trucks. While statistics like this make some Americans afraid to share the road with semis, research shows that 80% of car-truck accidents are caused by car drivers. This led us to ask: How much do people know about driving around semi-trucks, and what are their biggest blind spots when it comes to road safety? We surveyed over 1,000 adult drivers to find out what they know (and how they feel) about driving around semis.

Key Takeaways: 

• Fewer than 1 in every 20 Americans can correctly point out all of a semi’s blind spots. 
• 1 in 3 Americans don’t know how to safely pass trucks on the highway.
• Around 65% of drivers who feel unsafe around semis blame the truck or truck driver.
• 30% of Americans feel driver’s ed courses failed to prepare them for sharing the road with semis.

Almost No One Could Identify All of a Semi-Truck’s Blind Spots

For many of us, the last time we were quizzed on semi-truck blind spots was during driver’s ed—and it might be time for a review. Our survey found that only a small fraction of Americans (4.64%) could correctly identify all of a semi’s blind spots. 

Our investigation prompted the inquiry: How informed are individuals regarding navigating around semi-trucks, and where do they lack awareness in terms of road safety? By surveying more than 1,000 adult drivers, we aimed to uncover their knowledge and perspectives on driving near semis. The data revealed noteworthy insights: ## A Vast Majority Struggles to Identify All Blind Spots of a Semi-Truck For many, the recollection of lessons on semi-truck blind spots may trace back to driver’s education, signaling a pertinent need for a refresher. Our analysis showed that merely a meager proportion of Americans (4.64%) accurately pinpointed all blind spots of a semi-truck. Participants were provided with a visual representation for reference. To respond correctly, they were required to identify each blind spot. Regrettably, nineteen out of every 20 respondents missed or misidentified at least one area.