Backing up is dangerous, backing out of the driveway can be deadly.

June 23, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Backing up is the most dangerous driving manoeuvre that we do. In Canada about 100 people a year are struck and injured by reversing cars. The statistics about these pedestrian strikes are not well kept in Canada, but are very well kept in the US, where approximately 50 children are backed over every week and almost 300 people die a year from backover injuries. The per capita rates of injury and death are the same in Canada. The issue is a large one and getting worse. The total numbers of injured and killed are increasing yearly, with a fivefold increase in a decade.

A large part of the problem is the car designs with high trunk lines and small windows. SUVs increase blind zones even more with some particularly large SUVs blocking anyone out who is under 5’ tall. One NHTSA test illustrated that 62 children could huddle behind a large SUV without being visible to the driver of the vehicle. This is terrible.

Backup cameras will be compulsory in new vehicles sold in America after 2018 and Canada is expected to adopt the same legislation, but the number of cars on the road without them is enormous. The drivers must also learn to use the backup cameras to look for pedestrians, particularly children, and other cars.

American studies show that:

• the average blind zone behind a car is 15-25’ long, and up to 60’ in large SUVs.
• 60% of backovers happen with SUVs.
• 50 kids a week are backed over in the US and one dies every week
• 70% of backovers involve a friend or family member driving the car.

Safety Tips:

• Always walk around and behind your car before backing up.
• Back into your driveway leaving your exit clear when you leave. Backing in is considered safer because you have a clear view of the driveway and sidewalks when you drive past the lane to back in.
• Know where all kids, pedestrians and pets are BEFORE removing your foot from the brake.
• Install a backup camera after market in your car
• Teach kids not to play around parked cars and NEVER behind any cars.
• Roll your window down when backing up so you can hear people shouting.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.