Welcome Tracy Young to DrivingUniversity.com

Session 5 - Progress

When you have to back up around a turn, the safest way to control your vehicle is to steer in smooth, slow motions.  Fast, jerky movement of your steering wheel can lead to an out-of-control turn, which is very difficult to correct in reverse.  If you must make sharp turns, slow down your vehicle even more.

Corners are especially dangerous; remember that your front wheels will swing out in a wider arc than your rear wheels.  For example, when you back out of your driveway, make sure you are far enough away from those flowerbeds on the side, or you will lose not only your roses, but maybe even the gardener who is tending them!

In especially tight spots, when maneuvering your vehicle is difficult, don't rely on just your view of the rear.  For instance, when you find that a couple of mini vans have squeezed into the parking spaces on both sides of your little compact, and you don't have enough space to get out in one try, you are going to have to monitor all sides of the situation.  Use your side and rear mirrors, as well as the eyes of other passengers.

Of course, the best way to avoid hazards while backing up is to avoid situations that require backing up.  Plan ahead: be aware of entrance and exit locations.  If you miss your destination, drive around.  It would be safer to circle the movie theater and come back for your friends waiting on the curb, than to back up and run into someone's child who happened to run out into the parking lot.