Each year there are an average of 230 deaths and 13,000 injuries caused by vehicle backovers. Sadly, children under the age of five are at the greatest risk of being backed over and the primary age of victims is just one year old. A parent or close relative is behind the wheel in over seventy-percent of vehicle backover incidents. Share this vital information with your family and loved ones to avoid unnecessary injury and car accidents.
Backovers can be easily preventable if you take the time to be cautious. Make yourself aware of all blind spots on your vehicle—SUVs account for over sixty-percent of backovers because they have such large blind spots. Experts recommend using the standard back-up technique. After checking your three mirrors, keep your foot on the brake while in reverse until you have an unobstructed view out your back window. One of the most common ways to do this is by putting your right hand on the headrest of the passenger seat while keeping your left hand at the top of the steering wheel, and turning your head to face the rear window. Slowly take your foot off the brake and begin to back up.
The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act mandates that the area behind a vehicle must be visible to the driver when the car is in reverse. Although all new cars sold and leased in America must comply with this by May of 2018, there are still plenty of cars already in use that are not equipped with this technology. However, aftermarket back-up cameras are able to be installed if your car does not have one. It is still very important to educate your children (and yourself) about safety around cars to prevent personal injury from happening to them. Make sure your children know that playing around cars is never safe; this includes playing in driveways.
Avoiding a backover accident begins before you even set foot in your car. Look around and underneath your car to make sure that the area is clear of objects and children. If there are children playing nearby take a head count and make sure you are aware of where they all are before you begin backing up; let them know that you are backing up. Once you are in the car, minimize distractions by turning the radio down, getting off your phone, and rolling the window down—you may hear someone before you see them. Finally, don’t rush when backing out, it’s better to be a minute late to something than to risk injuring or killing someone.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, call Roanoke Accident Lawyer Paul Thomson for a free case evaluation. The Thomson Law Firm proudly serves clients in Virginia and West Virginia. Call today. (540) 777-4900
