Seven Fundamentals of Safe Backing
Avoiding Backing
The most obvious strategy to prevent a backing collision is to not back up. We present several concrete and reasonable techniques and strategies that will reduce the need for reversing by at least 50%. These techniques are never taught in driving school and drivers love how they can be incorporated easily into daily habits that not only enhance safety but reduce driving stress also.
Circle check
Many backing (and forward movement) incident occur when a vehicle has been parked and then moved by a driver that has not completed a circle check. Fundamental two describes how to circle check and why it’s a key component to preventing backing incidents.
Look Back
Looking where you are going is a concept taught to us since childhood but often employees back up without looking back either through the rear window or using mirrors. Many drivers do not use mirrors to their optimal effectiveness due to misunderstandings on how to properly adjust them. Correct mirror adjustment is a key component taught in this section of the course.
Back slowly
Vehicles preform much differently when backing up. Steering is dramatically different and its very easy to lose control when backing at excessive speeds. The course content emphasizes the importance of monitoring speed and presents techniques to effectively regulate speed while travelling in reverse.
Use a guide
One of the most effective strategies for eliminating backing incident is having a second set of eyes at the rear of the vehicle guiding the driver and looking out for hazards. We cover where guides should stand, what to do if a guide is being used and moves out of the driver view, common signals that the guide may use to communicate with the driver.
Avoid distractions
Distractions pull the drivers attention from the task at hand and diminish attentiveness. We discuss several types of common distracted driving issues and practical solutions, encouraging employees to avoid distraction not only when backing but whenever operating a vehicle.
Practice
Any skill that is barely or never learned and not practised until the person is competent will never be mastered. Mastering backing is actually very easy. Practice is the key. We encourage employees to learn basic backing skill and then practice using exercises that we suggest until they feel confident to back up a vehicle with skill and expertise (even when being watched by coworkers).
