Guidance on Reversing

Incidents during reversing manoeuvres are frequent.

To reduce the likelihood of reversing incidents in your company:
- Fit additional mirrors, cameras or reversing sensors on large vehicles to improve visibility.
- Make sure that vehicle reversing sites are clearly marked with warning signs and cordoned off with barriers if necessary.
- Ensure that banksmen you may use are properly trained, wear reflective clothing and know where to stand in safety.
- Carry out regular assessments of the reversing risks and implement any necessary measures.
Advise and train your drivers to:
- Avoid reversing where possible.
- Reduce the distance they need to reverse if reversing can't be avoided.
- Avoid three point turns in side roads. It is usually safer to drive to the next roundabout.
- Keep their mirrors clean and use them.
- Avoid reversing where there are pedestrians.
- Be aware of blind spots and small objects that may be out of sight.
- Get out of the vehicle and check if they are uncertain.
- Agree a signal for "stop" if they ask somebody to help them reverse.
- Stop immediately if a banksman disappears from view.
- Never rely on an alarm to clear an area of pedestrians or other road users.
Advise car and van drivers to reverse into parking spaces, not out of them.
Advise truck and bus drivers to follow on-site manoeuvring procedures.

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