Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Basics of backing up: Slow and cautious approach keeps it safe
Sometimes, knowing what you can’t see can help you drive better – especially if you’re driving in reverse. Even in a sedan, the blind spot behind the vehicle can be more than five metres. For large SUVs it’s worse – up to 15 metres.
Check around you
That’s why it is vitally important before you reverse a vehicle to be aware of everything around you. Before you get in, check for objects and people, especially children, immediately behind you and to both sides. Every year in Manitoba, two or three children are run over in their own driveways by someone backing up.
Even when you are satisfied from your outside inspection, be especially vigilant when you do begin reversing.
“Your rear blind spot is larger than the one in front of your vehicle and your line of sight is worse behind you, so it is necessary to be very aware of anything around you before you start.” says Lou Gervino, Manager of Driver Education at Manitoba Public Insurance. “The key is to drive slowly and cautiously and keep your head turning continually to see what’s happening all around behind you.
Backing in, a good idea
The accompanying chart shows the blind spots of many typical types of vehicles.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV, or visit the following sections on this website:
- Backing In in this section
- Backing Into Danger in this section
- Parking Backwards in The 60-Second Driver
- You can access a 60-Second video on Parking Backwards directly
