Over the past two years, Van Dievel Transport (VDT) counted approximately 65 accidents per year that could have been avoided. About forty of them were the result of a manoeuvre. In other words: almost two-thirds of the accidents that could have been avoided happened while manoeuvring on the company premises. Most manoeuvres at VDT happen while parking the vehicle against the loading platform, because of obstacles on the premises the driver had not noticed and while entering or leaving the company premises. Accidents during manoeuvring are typical for the kind of transport Van Dievel Transport performs. Therefore it is very useful for each driver to continuously improve his/her manoeuvring skills.

DEFENSIVE MANOEUVRING

It often comes as a surprise that 95% of the (road-)accidents are the result of a human error. In reply to this, scientists have studied the driving attitudes and this study led to the concept of 'defensive driving'. In the meantime, this concept has become generally known. It means:

(1) to avoid making mistakes,
(2) to take into account difficult driving circumstances and
(3) to try to anticipate mistakes of other road users.

What is defensive driving? Generally speaking it means that you do not take any risks yourself, that you recognize the risks somebody else takes in time, that you react in time to these signals and that you use the correct driving techniques.

One of the most difficult driving skills to acquire for truck drivers is performing various manoeuvres such as reversing, turning around, parking, driving towards a loading platform or driving away from it. While manoeuvring on the road, the driver also needs to give right of way to the other road users if necessary. Quite often additional (internal) traffic regulations apply on company premises and most of the time it is a very busy place. As such, the driver always needs to be extremely attentive while manoeuvring.

MANOEUVRING TECHNIQUES

Before starting a manoeuvre, you must always evaluate the surroundings and then you must carefully set out to begin the manoeuvre.

Visual technique

Being pro-active is a basic rule to avoid accidents, also while manoeuvring. It means that being a driver, you must always keep an eye on the 'traffic' around your truck. To achieve this, you can use your eyes, your mirrors, possibly also your camera. Only if you continuously pay attention to what happens around your truck, you will be able to react to changing circumstances in time.

While driving or manoeuvring, you must apply the BLFR-rule. This means:

- B : first look behind you
- L : then look to the left. Remember not to depend on your mirrors, but to look over your left shoulder regularly.
- F : then look in front of you.
- R : finally look to the right.

It goes without saying that a professional driver checks the position of the mirrors before driving off.

When to get out of the truck?

Even if you apply this visual technique very accurately, there still will be circumstances where blind angles will cause you problems. When you notice this, you get out of the truck to have a look and/or ask an assistant to help you.

If you have an assistant helping you, make sure to always have eye contact with him or her. Remember that your visual techniques are just as important in this situation and do not expect your assistant to see everything. After all you are responsible for your truck.

Reversing

Reversing requires a technique that is different for a tractor/trailer than for a truck.

However, while reversing, the following safety regulations apply at all times:

- Only reverse if it is really necessary.
- Get out and check the immediate surroundings of your truck.
- Ask for assistance if necessary.
- Activate the four blinkers and slowly reverse.
- Carefully look to the left and to the right.
- Keep in mind the length of the trailer.
- Switch off the radio and the CB.
- Open your window.
- If necessary, get out again to re-evaluate the risk.