As September is Safety month here at Efficiency we want to highlight something that makes a major impact for all of our customers. Reverse parking sounds like ‘common sense’ but there are major benefits to this approach. In fact, there have been a lot of accidents that have taken place as people are trying to back their trucks out of a space. These accidents lead to injuries and even fatalities.

Apart from collisions, many people have been injured by vehicles whose drivers were trying to back out of a parking spot. In a study conducted in 2018, about 12 000 non-occupants were injured by trucks trying to reverse from a parking spot. Of these 12 000, 284 were killed. These accidents occurred in driveways and parking facilities. Also, most of the people who are killed by backover collisions are the elderly and kids.

Rear Visibility Technology for Added Safety

It’s generally safer for truck drivers to drive out of space when they have a clear field of vision ahead of them. However, one of the issues with reverse parking is that it can be difficult to see what’s happening behind a truck as you are trying to reverse into a spot. Fortunately, nowadays, most trucks come equipped with rear visibility technology. This allows the driver to get into the parking spot safely.

Better Visibility

While it can be easier to spot vehicles on the roads with rearview mirrors, people can be hard to notice as a driver is backing out of a parking spot. With reverse parking, the driver first backs into a clear parking spot, and the chances of them hurting anyone are very low. On the other hand, when backing out of a space, there will be a lot of blind spots, and you won’t be able to see what’s happening around you. This increases the risk of hitting someone you can’t see.

Easier to Get Out of Emergency Situations

When the truck is parked in reverse, it is easier to jump into it and escape the emergency. This can save you from a lot of trouble. For instance, if the truck is carrying flammable materials and there is a fire, you will need to act quickly, and at the same time, prevent your truck from colliding with other vehicles and pedestrians.

Reverse Parking is Fuel Efficient

It is easier to pull forward out of a parking space. Since you can see everything that will be happening, you will most likely be able to do it all at once. Apart from this, research shows that a truck will consume a lot of fuel on a cold engine as it is backing out. However, when pulling forward in the first few minutes, the truck will use less fuel.

Reverse Parking Allows the Driver to Leave a Parking Spot Quicker

Reverse parking will allow the driver to leave the parking spot quicker. This will enable the drivers to save time if there is a lot of traffic on the road, reducing the chances of obstructing traffic and causing accidents.

Most truck drivers find reverse parking to be a little difficult for them. However, it is essential for every truck driver to be able to reverse park without struggling. If you have not yet mastered this important skill, you might want to take some time to practice in your spare time. If your truck has a rearview camera, you will find that it’s easier than you imagined. Reverse parking is an easier alternative for pedestrians.