When backing your vehicle, you should:
Answers
Rely only on your mirrors.
Look over your shoulder and out the rear window.
Put your head out of the driver’s side window.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Look over your shoulder and out the rear window.
When backing your vehicle, it’s important to use a combination of your mirrors and your direct line of sight to ensure safety. However, relying solely on mirrors can be insufficient because mirrors do not give you the full view of what is directly behind you. For this reason, you should always look over your shoulder and out the rear window to get a clear and unobstructed view of the area behind your vehicle.
Why looking over your shoulder is crucial:
- Blind Spots: Mirrors have blind spots, which can obscure pedestrians, obstacles, or other vehicles that are not visible in the mirror. Turning your head to look over your shoulder helps you see what mirrors cannot.
- Greater Field of Vision: Looking over your shoulder allows you to view the entire area behind you, including areas that may be hidden from the view of your mirrors. This is particularly important when backing out of tight spaces like parking spots or driveways.
- Awareness of Surroundings: By physically turning to look, you become more attuned to your surroundings. This reduces the risk of accidents caused by not noticing nearby objects or people.
Other options explained:
- Rely only on your mirrors: While mirrors are useful for checking blind spots and aiding in parking, they should not be your only tool when reversing. They can miss small objects or people directly behind your vehicle.
- Put your head out of the driver’s side window: While this may seem like a good way to check for obstacles on one side, it does not provide a clear view of what’s behind you. Additionally, it may distract you from focusing on the task of safely reversing.
In conclusion, looking over your shoulder is the best practice when backing up because it allows you to see what mirrors can’t and ensures that you are fully aware of your surroundings.