Learning To Back Up A Vehicle Safely For The Beginner And
Inexperienced Driver
Backing up your vehicle can be quite simple, once you get the
technique down pat, like anything else. It should be a lot
easier than going forward. There is a huge difference in speed,
than maneuvering the vehicle forward. Keep in mind. The faster
your speed is, the faster you have to process information. That
said. Driving backwards should be a lot easier than going
forward, because you should be going a lot slower. Now if you're
speeding going backwards, the opposite is true. Right?
When backing up a vehicle, always look in the direction that you
are backing. When your maneuvering the vehicle to the left, look
left. When you're maneuvering the vehicle to the right, look
right. When you're driving straight back always look over you're
right shoulder. Always glance over the opposite shoulder first,
before you proceed to back up. So if you're backing and looking
right, you should be glancing left first, before you start to
roll backwards. Backing to the left, glance over right shoulder
first. Always recheck you're blind spot again, if you take more
time, before you roll back.
There are a few things that you have to do first, depending on
the size of the vehicle. You may have to honk your horn to worn
pedestrians and other vehicles. One important thing you must do
is looking around before you back up. The other important thing
you must do is look where your backing at all times. The only
reason to glance forward is to make sure your front end clears
the vehicle, hazard, or pedestrian beside your car if you intend
on turning the vehicle. Did you notice I used the word glance?
It's pretty easy. Driving forward, you look forward, driving
backwards; you look backwards until your vehicle comes to a
complete stop. Everything else is just a glance. When you must
back up, only go back far enough necessary to drive forward,
especially if you're view is limited. Putting it in simpler
terms. If you're vehicle has enough clearance to move forward.
Stop and proceed forward. Do not guess. Move back more if your
not sure. When you're not sure which way your vehicle wheels are
turned. With your foot on the brake pedal and the gearshift in
drive or reverse, depending on direction, release up on the
brake pedal slowly and look and see which direction your vehicle
is heading, and correct accordingly.
Let's take a quick lesson on backing up. May I suggest you find
a vacant parking lot like a mall or a school when it is closed?
Make sure you get out of the car and look around for kids
playing first. (Do not attempt this maneuver without an
experienced driver sitting next to you or kids playing in the
area.)
With your foot covering the brake, slowly release the brake
until the vehicle starts rolling. Keep your foot above the brake
only to move it to the accelerator to get the vehicle in motion
moving your foot back over the brake to keep the car from
getting out of control. It's called covering the brake. Looking
in the direction you want to go, place your hand at the twelve
o'clock position, practice turning the vehicle from side to side
bringing it back to straight position and holding it straight
for awhile. Stop after approximately the length of a football
field and do the same thing going forward. The reason I would
like you to do the same exercise going forward is that soon you
will realize turning the wheel going forward is the same as
turning the wheel going backwards. Once you turn the wheel right
or left. Bringing the vehicle back to straight position will
require you to straighten the wheel once the vehicle is straight
again.
Repeat the maneuver going backwards until you arrive at the
approximate point that you started. Also practice turning the
vehicle on a bigger degree of a turn when you get a little more
confident. Be certain that you are covering the brake pedal at
all times. Slowly backing up to your ability only. Also practice
backing up between the lines of parking stalls. Do this a few
times or a couple of times a week and you will master the art of
backing up safely.
Your knowledge on backing up is equally as important as driving
forward. Just remember that doing it safely is the most
important part of backing up. In other words, looking around
before rolling back and looking where you're backing. Do not
roll back looking forward. Do you look back when you are driving
forward? .
Lets talk about the blind spot. Position your hands at 10 and 2
on the steering wheel and look straight ahead. You should be
able to see out your back window and your side mirrors. Those
mirrors are good for viewing traffic coming up behind you. Your
blind spot is situated over your shoulders on the backside of
your passengers back windows. By glancing in that direction, you
will be able to see a vehicle coming along side of you, that you
cannot see with your mirrors. Including traffic or pedestrians
approaching from the opposite side of the roadway, or parking
lots and intersections.
When you want a better understanding of the blind spot. Have a
friend or family member stand directly along side the back
corner of you're vehicle, and have them side-step away from your
vehicle, and looking in you're side and rear view mirror until
they are not visible, then glance over you're shoulder. That
would be you're blind spot.
Driving safely is almost impossible without the understanding of
your blind spot. All it takes is a quick glance, and if you
think you saw something, glance again, before you turn the
vehicle wheel, and or move in that direction.
Do not turn the wheel at the same time your checking. It defeats
the purpose of checking to see if it's safe. I like to use the
word glance, especially if you're moving the vehicle. When
you're not moving forward or backwards, take a good look around
before you roll. It is important to look in the direction you're
going.
For further information on driving techniques, please find a
recognized driving school nearest you.