Royal Mail Group – Safe & Slow Reversing Communications Initiative (Title “Reversing – The Power of 1 MPH”)

Royal Mail Group – Safe & Slow Reversing Communications Initiative (Title “Reversing – The Power of 1 MPH”)

The Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Team’s National Road Safety Manager has launched a Safe and Slow Reversing Communication Initiative which the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is supporting.

Last year 2,397 road traffic collisions (RTCs) occurred involving RMG (RM, PFWW, RMSS, RMP&FS etc.,) when fleet vehicles were reversing which is over 30% of all RTCs. Road Safety organisations note that reversing a vehicle is sometimes difficult, particularly in a commercial

vehicle where the driver’s visibility is limited. THEREFORE EXTRA CARE AND MOVING THE VEHICLE SLOWLY IS IMPORTANT!

Key Facts:

One way to make reversing easier is to keep the vehicle speed DEAD SLOW, by ‘inching’ it backwards at 1 MPH or as slow as possible. The difference it makes is:

More time – drivers can carefully check mirrors as they reverse and can react to reversing sensors. If a vehicle is reversed at over 4mph, the vehicle will hit an obstruction before the driver even hears the sensors.
Better control – drivers can make adjustments as they go, increasing the manoeuvrability of the vehicle and making it less likely that they’ll misjudge the space.
Limited damage – if a driver does make a mistake, the level of damage will be massively reduced. There’s even a chance that there will be no damage at all.

NOTE: It takes just 11 seconds to reverse 5 metres at 1mph.

Key Messages to Drivers:

Limit your speed when reversing, ‘inching’ it backwards and keeping below 1 MPH.
Use the clutch to control your speed and cover the brake with your right foot. You shouldn’t need the accelerator to reverse.
Be cautious – if ever in doubt, just stop. No driver will hit anything when stationary!

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