Before reversing your bus, what should you do?

Before reversing a bus, it is crucial to ensure the area behind the vehicle is clear of obstacles and individuals. This is essential to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of both passengers and pedestrians. By disembarking and checking all around the vehicle, the driver gains a comprehensive view of their surroundings, which cannot be fully achieved from the driver’s seat.

This practice emphasizes the importance of situational awareness when operating a large vehicle. Since buses have significant blind spots, physically checking the area ensures that the driver is aware of any potential hazards that could be missed while seated or relying solely on mirrors. This proactive approach is critical for safe maneuvering, particularly in crowded or confined spaces.

In contrast, other actions such as revving the engine, putting on hazard lights, or sounding the horn do not provide the driver with critical visual information about what lies behind the vehicle and may not effectively warn nearby pedestrians or vehicles. Ensuring a clear and safe environment by inspecting the surroundings directly is the most effective strategy for safe reversing.