The driver is always responsible when backing.
Backing becomes dangerous if you don't ensure the way is clear. Investigations often show collisions that happen when a vehicle is backing is a result of the driver not paying attention.
All drivers can reduce collisions when backing if they follow these backing rules:
- Avoid unnecessary backing - plan ahead to minimize backing distances.
- Use a guide whenever possible. The guide should have a clear continuous view of the backing path the vehicle will follow and should be visible to you throughout the manoeuver.
- Whenever possible, plan your approach so you can view the area into which you will be backing.
- Don't back the vehicle to the blind side when it is possible to back to the view side
- Always back out of traffic rather than into traffic. The left driver (as illustrated at bottom of page) has backed out of traffic. When they leave the laneway, they will be able to observe traffic readily. The right driver has taken the easy way out of traffic, but now faces the problem of backing into traffic to leave the laneway.
Before backing into a loading dock, you should:
- Turn on your four-way flashers (hazard lights).
- Sound your horn.
- Back the vehicle to the view side.
- Have someone guide you in.
Before backing a vehicle without a guide, you must:
- Set the park brake.
- Step out of the vehicle and look at the backing area for hazards.
- Check for clearances and obstacles above, below, to the sides, to the rear and to the front of the vehicle.
- Enter the cab: if there is no guide present, sound horn before moving. Observe both mirrors while backing slowly. If the backing distance is long, stop at intervals and re-check behind, above, below, to the side and ahead. Rather than making one long backing manoeuver, it is safer to make a series of short backing manoeuvers.
A human life is worth more than the few extra moments it takes to be sure the way is clear. Remember, even with a guide, you are responsible for any collision which might occur as a result of your actions.
Offset backing (driver side)
There are two types of offset backing: driver side, where you offset back to the left; and blind side, where you offset back to the right.
Here is the procedure for offset backing (driver’s side):
- Drive straight forward until the vehicle is in a straight line.
- Turn the wheel all the way to the right, angling the trailer toward the destination.
- Back up while watching the left mirror until the outside edge of the tractor tires lines up with the middle of the landing gear.
- Stop and turn the wheel as far to the left as possible.
- Back up until the tractor is straight and in line with the trailer.
- Straighten the wheels. Look out both mirrors while slowly backing toward the destination.
Alley dock (driver’s side)
When performing an alley dock, backing from the driver’s side (left) is recommended. Reversing to the left provides a clear view in the left mirror of the space you are reversing into.
Alley Dock Backing Procedures
- Align the vehicle with the target space (in the direction of your stopping point). This must be defined (3.5 and 3.7 metres wide) and be of sufficient depth to accommodate the entire length of the tractor-trailer. Activate warning flashers.
- Exit the vehicle and walk around and check for obstacles and clearance.
- Re-board the vehicle, sound horn and recheck mirrors before reversing.
- Shift into reverse and back up slowly.
- Look out the driver’s window to monitor the rear of the trailer and use mirrors to guide your backing.
- Make slight adjustments to the steering wheel to the left if the turn is sharp, or to the right if the turn is wide.
- Stop the vehicle when the desired position is reached.
