5.1 Backing

Backing up a vehicle takes practice and extreme caution must be used at all times. It is difficult to see directly behind the car, even when using your mirrors and glancing backwards over your shoulder. For this reason, it is important to examine the environment around your vehicle from many angles.

Before getting into your vehicle, check behind the car for small objects such children’s toys, mailboxes, or other hazards. These types of smaller objects may not be visible once you are inside your car.

Once you are inside your car and are ready to back up, look in your rear view and side view mirrors. You cannot however, solely rely on your mirrors to safely back up because your mirrors are not able to give you a complete view of all objects behind and around your vehicle. To compensate for what your mirrors cannot show you, turn and look over your right shoulder to look behind you while you back up.

If your ability to turn your head and shoulders is restricted:

 

• Avoid backing up if at all possible.
• Find parking places that maximize visibility of your vehicle to other roadway users and your ability to search the traffic environment.
• Carefully use all your mirrors and get passengers to help with the maneuver.

 

Remember to always back up slowly, using your brake and clutch to control your speed and avoid crashes. It is against the law to start a vehicle and to begin backing up until it is safe to do so. (CVC 22106)

Backing up around corners or sharp curves should be avoided unless you have good visibility in all directions because it is very dangerous. A vehicle can come around the curve and run into the back end of your vehicle.

Starting Parked Vehicles or Backing CVC Section 22106: No person shall start a vehicle stopped, standing, or parked on a highway, nor shall any person back a vehicle on a highway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.