backing collisions

Backing Collisions

A Ten-Minute Training Topics Presentation

Statistics• “One out of every four accidents can be blamed

on poor backing techniques”- National Safety Council

…If only trucks would bend…

Statistics• The cost of “Property Damage Crash” (a typical

backing up accident) is presently estimated at an average of $7,400 per event

– National Safety Council

Introduction• While we drive thousands of miles going

forward, have you ever stopped to consider that most drivers cover less than a mile or two per year in reverse?

Introduction• Backing up isn’t easy:

– the driver’s seat faces forward making it tough to turn to look and see behind the vehicle;

– many cargo carrying vehicles create giant blind areas where you can’t see; and

– mirrors (and even TV camera systems) while helpful, can distort views and don’t cover every area unless positioned properly.

Introduction• Unfortunately, backing accidents continue to

happen and they are frustrating for everyone • These collisions are avoidable/preventable and

while most only involve simple property damage, some lead to very serious injuries or even tragic fatalities.

Introduction• Although there are new “aids” or “tools” such as

camera systems and sonar systems, the only certain way for any driver to know that they have enough room to maneuver is to get out and look.

Introduction• Only by looking at exact clearances on either side

(and behind!) the vehicle can a driver spot what maneuvers will be needed to safely back into a parking or loading area.

What leads to backing collisions?• Although it may sound silly, the number one

cause of backing accidents is backing up. • What we're really trying to say is

that backing maneuvers should be eliminated or minimized at each stop or terminal.

What leads to backing collisions?• Other conditions or situations that may

contribute to backing accidents include:– Moving backwards without first looking to be sure

that the area behind the vehicle is clear – no one can assume that it’s safe to back up

– Lack of, or inadequately designed, mirrors (size, shape, configuration)

– Improperly positioned mirrors (mounting locations)


contribute to backing accidents include:– Improperly adjusted mirrors (line of sight, minimize

blind spots)– Blind spots which can not be easily corrected with

mirrors (the area located immediately behind large vehicles)

– View blocks (signs, shrubs)– Turning while backing (body of vehicle or trailer

obscures target area)


contribute to backing accidents include:– Distractions caused by bystanders, traffic, improper

signaling of helper, etc.– Low visibility conditions (weather, night, enclosed

docks, dimly lit garages)– Hard to see physical barriers behind the vehicle

(posts, cargo, pallets, etc.)– Physical barriers which move behind the vehicle prior

to, or during, the backing maneuver

Tips to Help?• While it’s not usually feasible to change the

loading/unloading arrangements at most stops, it never hurts to consider alternatives in case a change for the better (safer) is possible.

• The goal is to minimize backing, OR to facilitate a safe backing movement.

Tips to Help?• You’ve probably heard many of these tips, but they are

worth repeating, since it is possible to “slip into a comfort zone”.

• Here are some tips to consider:– If your vehicle has a rear window (sedan, SUV, pickup, van,

etc.) use defoggers (if available) to melt snow, ice and keep the window clear.

– Take time to walk around your vehicle and look for people, vehicles, or other objects that may obstruct your start-up/back-up path.

– Don’t forget to look overhead to ensure a safe clearance.

Tips to Help?• Here are some tips to consider:

– Minimize distractions (turn off music or talk radio so that you can hear what’s happening around your vehicle)

– After the walk-around check, have no delay in moving vehicle. Don’t enable another hazard to approach your vehicle while you are getting ready to move.

– Avoid “blind side” backing (backing and turning simultaneously where the vehicle blocks the driver’s view).


– Check your mirrors – are they both clean and adjusted to minimize any “blind areas”?

– Start up slowly at first to allow other vehicles and pedestrians, who may have unexpectedly approached, to safely move away.

– Tap horn in congested areas or recruit a signalman (if permitted by your company’s policies, and practice hand signals to avoid confusion).


– Turn off personal radios and lower window during back up moves to hear any verbal alerts/warnings.

– Stop before loading dock contact - get out and check the final distance to dock. (Serious injuries can occur when bystanders are pinched between vehicles and docks.)

– Make back-up moves slowly in order to stop quickly.

Before Leaving on a Trip:– Check for proper mirror adjustment.– Promptly report broken mirrors and loose mountings.– Check for proper tail light, brake light, and turn signal

function.– Check for proper function of horn and back-up

warning signal (if so equipped).– Check for proper function of (and take time to

practice using) CCTV, sonar or radar back-up sensors (if so equipped).

Preventability?• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

offers these comments on the preventability of backing accidents…

• “A collision that occurs while backing up is “preventable” if the driver:– backed up when backing could have been avoided by

better planning of his/her route– backed into traffic stream when such backing could

have been avoided– failed to get out of cab and check proposed path of

backward travel

Preventability?• “A collision that occurs while backing up is

“preventable” if the driver:– depended solely on mirrors when it was practicable

to look back– failed to get out of cab periodically and recheck

conditions when backing a long distance– failed to check behind vehicle parked at curb before

attempting to leave parking space– relied solely on a guide to help him/her back– backed from blind side when he/she could have made

a sight-side approach

Summary• Most backing collisions are avoidable and

preventable. • It takes a commitment to be vigilant and

consistent in your driving duties to avoid these collisions.

• Thankfully, most backing collisions don’t involve injuries, but they can – do your very best each day to drive in a disciplined manner.

This presentation was developed for the benefit of clients of SafetyFirst Systems.

Receipt and/or possession of this slideshow does not convey any right to re-distribute beyond your own organization, or any right to create derivative works from this material for any purpose without the express permission of SafetyFirst Systems.

If you have questions about the proper use of this or related documents, please contact SafetyFirst at 1-888-603-6987

backing collisions

Documents