The majority of drivers only use reverse gear for a very tiny portion of their driving time, however, vehicle damage sustained when reversing is a major cause of motor vehicle insurance claims in terms of the frequency of crashes and the overall cost of repairs. Reversing incidents account for over 60% of all commercial vehicle accidents, with HGVs accounting for 19% of these, vans for 15%, and corporate cars for 10%. Damage typically happens when an insured car reverses into something, like a building or another vehicle. In the worst-case scenarios, a child or another pedestrian could be the one who is hurt.
Poor rearward view and the driver’s failure to account for the size and obstruction of the vehicle are two factors that contribute to many collisions. Most truck reversing collisions happen at modest speeds and might be avoided with very basic safety measures and altered driving habits. Even the most professional drivers may struggle with reversing, thus it is advisable to take a few factors into account for your fleet and drivers.
Many people have trouble with reversing because it amounts to a failure to manage the workplace, the vehicle, the driver, or a combination of these three parts of workplace transport management safety. The major safety risk is considered to be poor sight, especially in larger vehicles. Different things can make it harder for a motorist to see people or objects. These include the size of the vehicle or the equipment on the vehicle, the absence of functional equipment on the vehicle, such as poorly placed mirrors or inoperative CCTV cameras, etc. Driver distractions might also come from outside sounds, or the noise made by the car as it reverses. Accidents can happen when drivers are preoccupied with things going on around their cars. The driver’s visibility may be hampered by external factors like poorly designed sites or bad weather. When the car is being reversed at the wrong speed, the dangers go up. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to being hurt or killed in crashes with reversing automobiles.
In industries like mining, construction, and others where vehicles are used in close proximity to employees, modern technology is significantly enhancing driver visibility and safety. Reverse parking has been included by many businesses in their internal safety procedures. This not only increases the safety of both drivers and pedestrians, but it can also reduce expenses. Certain auxiliary equipment and visibility aids on particular vehicles must meet certain legal requirements set down by some legislation, such as that governing construction and quarries. Making sure the driver has good all-around visibility is the main goal. In some circumstances, audible reversing sirens that alert individuals to the risk may be helpful; nevertheless, they may not be heard by everyone and can blend into background noise on a busy site. Whenever appropriate, offer additional visibility aids like CCTV, convex internal rearview mirrors, or convex segment wing mirrors. Reversing assistance or safety equipment, such as “sensing” or “trip” systems, can help the vehicle recognize persons or obstructions behind it.