| Backing up your vehicle can be quite simple, once you | | | | position, practice turning the vehicle from side to side |
| get the technique down pat, like anything else. It should | | | | bringing it back to straight position and holding it straight |
| be a lot easier than going forward. There is a huge | | | | for awhile. Stop after approximately the length of a |
| difference in speed, than maneuvering the vehicle | | | | football field and do the same thing going forward. The |
| forward. Keep in mind. The faster your speed is, the | | | | reason I would like you to do the same exercise going |
| faster you have to process information. That said. | | | | forward is that soon you will realize turning the wheel |
| Driving backwards should be a lot easier than going | | | | going forward is the same as turning the wheel going |
| forward, because you should be going a lot slower. | | | | backwards. Once you turn the wheel right or left. |
| Now if you're speeding going backwards, the opposite | | | | Bringing the vehicle back to straight position will require |
| is true. Right? | | | | you to straighten the wheel once the vehicle is straight |
| When backing up a vehicle, always look in the direction | | | | again. |
| that you are backing. When your maneuvering the | | | | Repeat the maneuver going backwards until you |
| vehicle to the left, look left. When you're maneuvering | | | | arrive at the approximate point that you started. Also |
| the vehicle to the right, look right. When you're driving | | | | practice turning the vehicle on a bigger degree of a |
| straight back always look over you're right shoulder. | | | | turn when you get a little more confident. Be certain |
| Always glance over the opposite shoulder first, before | | | | that you are covering the brake pedal at all times. |
| you proceed to back up. So if you're backing and | | | | Slowly backing up to your ability only. Also practice |
| looking right, you should be glancing left first, before | | | | backing up between the lines of parking stalls. Do this a |
| you start to roll backwards. Backing to the left, glance | | | | few times or a couple of times a week and you will |
| over right shoulder first. Always recheck you're blind | | | | master the art of backing up safely. |
| spot again, if you take more time, before you roll back. | | | | Your knowledge on backing up is equally as important |
| There are a few things that you have to do first, | | | | as driving forward. Just remember that doing it safely |
| depending on the size of the vehicle. You may have to | | | | is the most important part of backing up. In other |
| honk your horn to worn pedestrians and other vehicles. | | | | words, looking around before rolling back and looking |
| One important thing you must do is looking around | | | | where you're backing. Do not roll back looking forward. |
| before you back up. The other important thing you | | | | Do you look back when you are driving forward? . |
| must do is look where your backing at all times. The | | | | Lets talk about the blind spot. Position your hands at 10 |
| only reason to glance forward is to make sure your | | | | and 2 on the steering wheel and look straight ahead. |
| front end clears the vehicle, hazard, or pedestrian | | | | You should be able to see out your back window and |
| beside your car if you intend on turning the vehicle. Did | | | | your side mirrors. Those mirrors are good for viewing |
| you notice I used the word glance? | | | | traffic coming up behind you. Your blind spot is situated |
| It's pretty easy. Driving forward, you look forward, | | | | over your shoulders on the backside of your |
| driving backwards; you look backwards until your | | | | passengers back windows. By glancing in that direction, |
| vehicle comes to a complete stop. Everything else is | | | | you will be able to see a vehicle coming along side of |
| just a glance. When you must back up, only go back | | | | you, that you cannot see with your mirrors. Including |
| far enough necessary to drive forward, especially if | | | | traffic or pedestrians approaching from the opposite |
| you're view is limited. Putting it in simpler terms. If you're | | | | side of the roadway, or parking lots and intersections. |
| vehicle has enough clearance to move forward. Stop | | | | When you want a better understanding of the blind |
| and proceed forward. Do not guess. Move back more | | | | spot. Have a friend or family member stand directly |
| if your not sure. When you're not sure which way your | | | | along side the back corner of you're vehicle, and have |
| vehicle wheels are turned. With your foot on the brake | | | | them side-step away from your vehicle, and looking in |
| pedal and the gearshift in drive or reverse, depending | | | | you're side and rear view mirror until they are not |
| on direction, release up on the brake pedal slowly and | | | | visible, then glance over you're shoulder. That would be |
| look and see which direction your vehicle is heading, | | | | you're blind spot. |
| and correct accordingly. | | | | Driving safely is almost impossible without the |
| Let's take a quick lesson on backing up. May I suggest | | | | understanding of your blind spot. All it takes is a quick |
| you find a vacant parking lot like a mall or a school | | | | glance, and if you think you saw something, glance |
| when it is closed? Make sure you get out of the car | | | | again, before you turn the vehicle wheel, and or move |
| and look around for kids playing first. (Do not attempt | | | | in that direction. |
| this maneuver without an experienced driver sitting | | | | Do not turn the wheel at the same time your checking. |
| next to you or kids playing in the area.) | | | | It defeats the purpose of checking to see if it's safe. I |
| With your foot covering the brake, slowly release the | | | | like to use the word glance, especially if you're moving |
| brake until the vehicle starts rolling. Keep your foot | | | | the vehicle. When you're not moving forward or |
| above the brake only to move it to the accelerator to | | | | backwards, take a good look around before you roll. It |
| get the vehicle in motion moving your foot back over | | | | is important to look in the direction you're going. |
| the brake to keep the car from getting out of control. | | | | For further information on driving techniques, please |
| It's called covering the brake. Looking in the direction | | | | find a recognized driving school nearest you. |
| you want to go, place your hand at the twelve o'clock | | | | |