When backing up your vehicle, what is the safest practice?
-
A.
Use only the rearview mirror: it gives the clearest view.
-
B.
Turn your body and head to the right, look out the rear window, back slowly. Correct
-
C.
Back up at normal forward speed to clear the area quickly.
-
D.
Rely on the backup camera alone; it shows everything behind you.
The answer is "Turn your body and head to the right, look out the rear window, back slowly."
Mirrors do not give you a full view when backing up. The handbook tells you to turn your body and head to the right and look out through the rear window. Glance to either side for pedestrians and approaching traffic, then back up slowly. Slow speed gives you time to stop if something appears.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Use only the rearview mirror: it gives the clearest view.
The handbook says mirrors do not give you a full view; you must turn your body and head and look out the rear window. Misreading: Treats mirrors as sufficient, contradicting the handbook's explicit statement that mirrors do not give a full view.
C. Back up at normal forward speed to clear the area quickly.
The handbook directs you to back up slowly; fast backing leaves no time to react to a pedestrian or vehicle. Misreading: Ignores the handbook's instruction to back up slowly and substitutes a normal forward speed.
D. Rely on the backup camera alone; it shows everything behind you.
The handbook's method is to turn your body and head and look out through the rear window. A camera shows a limited area and does not replace the direct look. Misreading: Substitutes camera reliance for the handbook's turn-your-body-and-look-out-the-rear-window procedure, which the manual does not authorize.
This question tests your knowledge of Defensive Driving in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Backing Up," p.29..
Related Oregon questions
- Another driver is following you too closely (tailgating) on an Oregon road. What's the recommended response? →
- What does Oregon's handbook define as a safe following distance under most conditions? →
- How can you measure your following distance in seconds while driving in Oregon? →
- When stopping behind another vehicle in traffic, what visual rule does the Oregon handbook give for how close to stop? →
- Which of these conditions does NOT increase the following distance you should keep, according to the Oregon handbook? →
The Oregon book is on the way
Drop your email and we'll send the free Oregon cheat sheet now, plus a note the moment the book is available.