Warning spotted on truck: “YOU ARE IN MY BLIND SPOT.”

I found myself on the lee side of a passing semi-truck the other day. On the passenger side of the cab, where the driver couldn’t see me, I read a sign in capital letters: You are in my blind spot.” Yeah?

It reminded me of the sign you used to see in restaurants above the coat racks, “not responsible for lost items.” Actually not true. If the hats and coats were not in line of sight from where the clientele were seated, the restaurant was completely responsible, the disclaimer not-withstanding. Wouldn’t we all love a t-shirt that read “not accountable for my actions.”

A great percentage of highway fatalities attest to the danger large 18-wheelers pose for passenger cars. To see a sticker admonish the smaller vehicle to take greater care is simply insulting. Mind your blind spot? How about you find a truck manufacturer to make your high-velocity lethal mass come equipped without a blind spot? Install a camera for instance. Make sure you can keep an eye on where you’re swinging that colossal hard body. Until you can get by without our assistance, stay off the road. You may not insist on ambulating with a blind spot mortal to others. A blind spot for the safety of civilians in automobiles is the blind spot you have.

And what of the signs: “this vehicle makes wide turns?” Out of your designated lane is what you mean. Can I put a sign on my car reserving my use of the left lane to make a right turn when I’m inclined? Hardly. Design a truck which plays well with others. You can start by abiding by the rules of the road, endangering no passersby. Use smaller trucks if you have to, but don’t give me your signs.

“Warning to trucks: driver of this vehicle protected by lawyer, give wide berth please. Thank you.”