Know the Dangers Associated with Reversing

Did you know that reversing accidents are common in Australian roads, contributing 11 percent to all accidents recorded in 2016? And in other countries, reversing accidents also contribute to fatal accidents on the road, on top of the other serious damages on the vehicles and hospitalization of drivers. In short, reversing is something that should be taken seriously, and should always form part of fleet enhancement and driver preparation and training.

Watch out for the following

The problem with reversing and parking is poor visibility, and this is more pronounced on larger vehicles like pick-ups and trucks. For example, the truck’s rear or attachment can often obscure visibility when the truckers reverse into a parking space or a loading bay. There are other factors that contribute to reversing accidents, like noise distractions on work areas and badly positioned mirrors which can cause accidents.

To prevent accidents and injuries related to reversing, drivers and heavy equipment operators should pay attention to the following dangers:

• Work-site layout
• Vehicle blind spots
• Lack of space and lighting
• Faulty safety equipment
• Pedestrians, workers and other vehicles

What can be done?

Once the drivers and operators have become aware of the dangers, then the next best thing to do is to apply a range of appropriate and responsive management techniques which can help promote responsible driving. Certain interventions may be taken, like improvements on the workplace design and employee education. And finally, fleet managers can also take advantage of reversing aids like reversing camera systems.