According to the National Safety Council, poor backing is attributed to 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries each year. Talk with your drivers about the safest way to back: avoiding it whenever possible.

Here are a few ideas to help your drivers with backing maneuvers.

• Look for ways to reduce the amount of backing required.
• Think ahead to avoid situations that will require you to back.
• When possible, pull through parking spots to enable a forward exit.
• Before you begin backing, look for uneven surfaces, overhead and side obstructions, sidewalks and driveways.
• Make sure your mirrors are adjusted to provide the best vision possible.
• Avoid backing into residential driveways or in parking lots as they are most likely to present changing hazards.
• Eliminate distractions by turning off your radio, heater, fan or anything else that could disrupt your concentration.
• Do not talk on the phone or radio while backing!
• Minimize blind spots by backing to the driver’s side whenever possible.
• Begin your backing slowly at a controlled speed and take your time to ensure you can react to changing situations.
• Let others know you are backing by using a backing alarm or honking your horn periodically.
• Use a reliable guide to help with especially difficult backing situations.

At all times during the maneuver, think GOAL: Get Out And Look. If you need to GOAL multiple times, you should reconsider backing at all to avoid a collision.

Download the Safe Backing flyer as a refresher on the best way to back your vehicle.