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Backing into danger - Kids main victims of blind zones
Backing up has always required extra caution, but today’s vehicles can make it harder to do safely – and your own children are most at risk.
More families today use larger vehicles such as trucks, SUVs and minivans with large blind zones to the rear. A driver in a pickup truck can have a rear blind zone eight feet wide by 50 feet long. Even in a large SUV, it may be enough room for an entire kindergarten class.
Checklist for backing up safely
- Approach your vehicle from the rear to see what is directly behind before you get in.
- Check to see where your children are. Walk around your vehicle before you move it.
- If kids are nearby, direct them
away from the
vehicle to
where you can see them. - Once inside, look behind and raise yourself from the seat to improve your line of sight. Use your mirrors as well.
- Back up slowly.
- If you are backing up a very large vehicle, have someone outside to guide you.
Technology helps, but…
Rear-view video cameras can help prevent accidents but are expensive (as much as $2,000 as an option or retrofit) and not available on many new vehicles. Back-up warning sensors can detect an inanimate object but are not sensitive enough to spot a child in motion.
Inexpensive, wide-angle lenses mounted on the rear window can reduce the blind spot area and are easy to install. But none of these devices replaces good judgment and careful supervision.
Teach your children to be safe
Teach your children that vehicles may back up unexpectedly and that they should never stand or play near a vehicle. Show them the vehicle’s blind zone, stressing that they can see the vehicle but the driver may not see them.
For more information, watch
The 60-Second Driver on CTV, or visit the following sections on this website:
- Backing Your Vehicle Into a Parking Spot in Driving Tips
- Parking Woes in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second video on backing your vehicle into a parking spot directly
