How to Safely Back Up Your Vehicle

The act of backing your car up sounds like simple procedure, but think again. This simple procedure caused 49% of all non-traffic non-crash fatalities from the years of 2001-2005. These fatalities were involved with children who were 15 years old and younger. Actually, the world's first recorded motor vehicle fatality was due to a backup procedure.

An Irish scientist, Mary Ward died in August 1869, when she "fell out of the window of her cousin's steam car and was run over." Just as what happened to Mary Ward, most of these backup fatalities occurred in residential driveways and parking lots. So, the next time your at your favorite supermarket, be aware that you're in a very high potential area for a backup mishap.

Statistics show that when a vehicle backs up and strikes another object they're usually considered to be at fault. Millions of dollars are spent each year on accidents which occur under the speed limit of five miles an hour. It's not always the speed which kills, but the driver of the vehicle.

Backing up sometimes can be rather tricky especially if you're backing up with multiple blinds spots. Parking lots are one of the worst places to back up. My wife always teases me as I back into every spot I get. Although we drive a Jeep liberty and sit up a little higher than a car, I still have multiple blinds spots especially if we're parked beside an SUV or truck, which seems to be most of the vehicles anymore.

The best way to back up is be totally aware of what's around you. Check the area of the backup when you're walking up to the car. Do a visual pre-trip of the area and make sure there's nothing lying around the wheels or anything visible under the car. As you get into the car make sure that all of your mirrors are in adjustment, and the area around your car can be seen clearly in your mirrors.

One of the companies I worked for taught us to always sound our horn when we backed up; they also had a back up alarm on the vehicle which sounded when the vehicle was in reverse. This little toot on your horn is a good warning to anyone who is getting ready to walk behind you as you get ready to back up.

After you've checked your mirrors look over both shoulders and then back over your right shoulder again, because this area is where your worst blind spot lies. After you've checked your blind spots recheck them again (along with all of your mirrors) and slowly move into the area your backing into. This monotonous procedure is just another thing you have to get used to for the privilege of driving a vehicle. It's always better to be a little too safe than a whole lot sorry.

Another thing to consider is multiple occupants in the car with you. These occupants can distract your eye away from what you should be observing, which could cause you not to notice something which you should have seen. Also keep in mind that these occupants also create more blind spots in the car, especially when it's dark outside. Nighttime is the worst time to be backing up anywhere, as visibility has now decreased immensely and distracting lights seem to be everywhere. Always be extra careful when you're backing up in the dark. Recheck all of your blind spots at least twice.

The next time you put your vehicle in reverse remember; this simple movement could be something which could change the rest of your life. The best advice is to avoid a backup situation if you can, and if something doesn't feel right get out and check the area again. I don't believe we can never be too cautious when we operate our vehicle, especially when we're backing up.

Sources of information:

www.wikicars.org/en/Car-Acidents.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile