| Text Release Date and Time: 2009-10-13 10
October 13 - 18 - Unsafe Backing
Reversing is hazardous with any vehicle. Vision is restricted, small vehicles
and pedestrians can move quickly behind your vehicle out of sight.
Fortunately, it is the most preventable of all types of collisions.
In situations when you have to back up, look behind to make sure your path is
clear of traffic, pedestrians and other obstacles. If you are going to be
backing out of a driveway, first walk around the vehicle and check for
possible dangers behind.
To back in a straight line:
- Place your left hand at the top of the steering wheel
- Look over your right shoulder through the rear window and back up slowly
- Don't look ahead accept for quick glances to make sure the front of the vehicle does not hit anything
- For slight steering corrections, turn the steering wheel in the same
direction that you want the back of your vehicle to go
When backing to the left or right:
- Use both hands on the steering wheel
- To back to left look over your left shoulder with occasional glances to the
front
- To back to the right look over your right shoulder with occasional glances
to the front
Other hints for backing:
- If you have to back out of a driveway, back your vehicle into the nearest traffic lane and then go forward. Do not back into a second traffic
lane. Note: It is usually safer to back into the driveway so that you can drive
forward when you leave.
- In an urban area (city, town or village), you are not permitted to back
a vehicle into an intersection or a crosswalk.
- When backing your vehicle, it is good practice to limit your speed to that
of normal walking speed.
During the period of October 13th to 18th the MHPS safety message trailer will
be reminding drivers to
"Check Behind Before Backing - Do A Walk Around".
For more information please contact:
Sgt. Stacey Fishley
Supervisor i/c Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
403-529-8471 |
Office of the Chief
