Chapter 13

 Section 4 Defensive Driving and Safety

Chapter 13 

Backing the Vehicle

“If you keep looking backwards, you don't go anywhere.” - Jeff Ross

According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) there are at least 500,000  backing accidents of some type every year in just the U.S. Of those half-million accidents, 15,000 include some type of injury and approximately 210 deaths - mostly children ages five (31% of all fatalities) and under and elderly people 70 and over (26%). So why would we ever drive backwards?  

Driving backwards is a luxury.  In fact, you should drive a limousine as if the reverse gear didn’t even exist.  If you are ever in a position of having to back a limousine, it should be done as soon as possible and not put off until later. Let me explain. You pull up to a driveway that leads to your pickup location.  You can see that if you pull in, you will have to back out into traffic on the street after the passengers have loaded. It’s a long driveway and you don’t want to make your passenger walk in the rain. Back in, don’t back out!  Things in a driveway are somewhat stationary, unlike a busy street.  The same protocol goes at the end of the trip. Before unloading you passenger(s), perform your backing maneuver. This way you don’t have people moving around the outside of the vehicle as you go to leave.

There are three types of backing you will have to perform in a limousine,

• Straight Line Back
• Driver Side Back
• Blind Side Back

Out of these 3 types of backing a straight line or driver side back are the two you should try to perform. The blind side back is the most hazardous and should be avoided if at all possible. 

1. Straight line backing is the simplest maneuver to learn. It is fundamental in learning all other backing maneuvers. 
2. Driver side backing is backing toward the left side of the vehicle. The driver can see the intended path.
3. Blind side backing is backing toward the right side of the vehicle. The driver has limited visibility and can only see where he/she is going in the limousine’s rearview mirror or camera. Blind side backing is the most dangerous and should be avoided when possible.

General procedures all drivers should follow when performing a backing maneuver. 

Drivers need to keep in mind that all backing maneuvers have the potential to become dangerous. In most backing situations, even a second or two is enough time for someone or something to get in the path of a vehicle. A driver should perform the following safety checks before starting a backing maneuver: 

• get out of the vehicle and check to the rear; 
• check above, under, and to the sides of the vehicle; 
• check for adequate swing clearance;
• check in front of the vehicle (if pulling forward is necessary); and
• warn others that the limousine is backing.

Once the safety checks have been made, the driver shouldn't delay in moving the vehicle. Any delay could allow time for another potential hazard. If there is a delay, the safety checks should be conducted a second time.  

Starting in the proper position (in as straight of a line as possible) is the key to successful backing. Other key backing tips include:

• being patient
• backing as slowly as possible
• not over accelerating
• not oversteering
• backing to the left side (driver side) whenever possible
• using mirrors
• using the horn and flashers
• turning off the radio and keeping the windows open to listen for noises
• having someone watch and guide the limousine from the outside (if possible);
• checking behind the limousine
• watching for obstacles (curbs, trash cans, mailboxes, pedestrians, etc.) 
• looking out for overhead objects (wires, tree limbs, etc.)
• restarting the backing maneuver if needed instead of backing poorly.

Assistance of a Spotter.

Depending on company policy, the driver may have the option of using a helper or “spotter” to complete a backing maneuver.  When using a spotter, the driver and spotter must agree on signals, with the most important signal being stop. The spotter must also be positioned so that the driver can see the spotter in the limousines rearview

mirror at all times.

Even though the driver is using a spotter he/she/they must continue to take full responsibility for their actions. The driver can't neglect his/her/their responsibility because a spotter is available.