What is the best way to check for hazards before reversing your vehicle?

Choosing to walk around the vehicle and look over your shoulder is the best method for checking for hazards before reversing your vehicle. This approach allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the area surrounding your vehicle, including any obstructions or hazards that may not be visible from inside the car or through mirrors alone.

Walking around the vehicle gives you a physical perspective of the surrounding environment, which mirrors and looking over your shoulder cannot fully capture. By checking the rear, sides, and even the area directly behind you, you can identify pedestrians, other vehicles, and obstacles that may pose a risk as you reverse.

Additionally, when you look over your shoulder as you start to reverse, you maintain better awareness of real-time conditions. This combination of proactive checking and immediate visual assessment significantly enhances safety when maneuvering in reverse, allowing for better decision-making and minimizing potential accidents.