Tips for Reversing Safely
Many individuals do not consider reversing to be a big risk because of the relatively slow impact speed; however, over 60% of all commercial vehicle accident claims include reversing, with heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) leading the pack with 19% of these claims, vans coming in at 15%, and corporate cars coming in at 10%.
However, people can also get hurt in addition to risking damage to their cars and other property. Surprisingly, reversing accounts for nearly a quarter of all vehicle-related workplace fatalities.
Poor rearward view and the driver’s failure to account for the vehicle’s size and obstruction are two factors contributing to many collisions. Most reversing collisions happen at modest speeds and might be avoided with basic safety measures and altered driving habits.
Even experienced drivers occasionally require assistance while trying to reverse their cars in tricky situations. We can all contribute to lowering these statistics by taking extra care and attention. Here are some of our top suggestions for safer reversing.
Safety Tips Before Reversing
- Walk around the car to check for dangers and ensure the path is clear of obstacles. If it’s blocked, is there another way to get there?
- Is the area where you need to be clear of other workers and/or pedestrians?
- Check for impediments from the overhead and ground levels. Think about whether your car will fit in this space.
- Before reversing, get out of your vehicle and verify if you can see behind you.
- Put on your hazard warning lights or use your horn to warn nearby workers and/or pedestrians.
- What is the distance that you intend to go backwards? If possible, steer clear of reverse-driving long distances.
- Keep an eye out for other people, pedestrians, and kids. Children are unpredictable and have no idea why you’re relocating the car.
Safety Tips After Reversing
- Utilise the assistance of a trained banksman (enrol in a traffic marshal course to become a trained banksman) whose responsibility it is to direct traffic and maintain the reversing area clear of pedestrians. Always ask for assistance if needed rather than taking a chance of getting hurt.
- Make sure you comprehend the banksman’s signs before beginning the reversing manoeuvre when using one. Stop right away if you lose sight of him or her.
- Reversing into space is significantly simpler than doing so to enter moving traffic. When you deliver, start your reversing manoeuvre as soon as you get there.
- Use any floor-mounted recommendations that are there to precisely position your car.
- Reverse gently and cautiously, keeping the distance to a minimum. Be ready to cease right away.
- If the area you can see in your mirrors becomes blocked or you’re unsure of the distances, stop, exit your car, and inspect the area’s accessibility before attempting the manoeuvre again.
Tips for Reversing Safely
To lessen the risk involved with reversing automobiles, consider the following advice:
- Is reversing both prudent and required?
- Ensure the car’s rear-view mirrors are clean and correctly set to maximise rear vision.
- Consider installing blind spot mirrors or “fish eye” mirrors to improve side and rear vision.
- A long reverse should not be performed. Driving around the block or turning around may be safer and simpler.
- Visually scan the environment as you approach a reverse parking spot for obstructions.
- Any road should always be approached and exited from in a forward orientation.
- Never go backwards onto a major road from a minor road.
- Use the horn on the car to alert pedestrians before reversing over a path that is obscured or another area where there may be pedestrians, or add an audible reverse alarm.
- Whenever entering a roadway from a driveway, give way to pedestrians.
- Use the mirrors to examine both sides as you carefully reverse. Look back and keep looking back while you are travelling backwards.
- Vehicles in reverse do not have the right of way. If a car comes up behind you, stop and GIVE WAY until it passes.
- Someone might be able to direct the driver if there is any doubt about whether the path is clear due to blind spots. If not, the driver should exit the vehicle and look for obstructions.
- Don’t be embarrassed to ask someone to advise you when you reverse. Using a guide is less awkward than crashing a car.
- Before reversing from a parking space with a limited rear view, walk around the car and look for any hazards.
- When operating an unknown vehicle, practise backing up to become familiar with the vehicle’s turning radius, blind spots, and rear view.
- Use smaller automobiles for the greatest fit and simpler parking in confined parking spaces.
Vehicle Safety Devices
- External rear-view and side-mounted mirrors
- Refractive lenses are installed in rear-view mirrors or CCTV systems to improve rear-view visibility for drivers.
- Fitted reversing alarms, either audible or with flashing lights
- “Sensing” or “trip” systems that alert the driver or cause the vehicle to stop when they detect an impediment close to or in touch with the vehicle
