Preparation the key to backing out safely

- Published: Nov. 16, 2010

Many property damage collisions by company drivers are backing collisions.

Keep in mind any time you back a vehicle, the potential is there for much more than property damage. 

Although back-over collisions represent a small proportion of pedestrian motor vehicle collisions, they tend to involve more severe injuries. 

In fact, in Alberta in 2009, 289 casualty collisions were due to backing unsafely.

Things you can do to avoid a backing collision.

• Always do a walk around before getting in the vehicle. 
• Back up slowly; don’t press the accelerator unless needed.
• Avoid backing wherever possible, by planning the route to eliminate the need for it.  
• As a rule, in perpendicular parking stalls, pull through the stall or else back in and drive out. This allows you to examine the area to be backed into as the vehicle approaches it.  
• Never back out of an alley, not only is it unsafe but also it is also illegal. 
• Get the complete picture before backing, even if it means getting out of your vehicle and walking around it. After getting the complete picture start backing immediately, before the situation has a chance to change.  
• Use a spotter if available. 
• Back to the view/left side of the vehicle when possible. 
• Keep a 360-degree awareness.

Avoiding a back-over collision with children:

• Know where children are. Make them move away from the vehicle to a place where they are in full view before moving the vehicle 
• Honk horn loudly before backing up 
• Glance frequently to the front and be aware the front of the vehicle will swing in the opposite direction that the back is going 
• Teach children that "parked" vehicles might move, and if they can't see the driver, the driver might not see them
• Teach children never to play in or around a vehicle