What is the safest way to back up your vehicle?

The safest way to back up your vehicle involves looking over your shoulder while also using your mirrors. This method allows you to maximize your visibility of the area behind your vehicle, which is crucial for avoiding potential obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles. By turning your head, you gain a direct line of sight to what is behind you, which can help you identify things that may not be visible in your mirrors alone.

Using only the rearview mirror limits your field of vision, making it difficult to see low-lying objects, pedestrians who may be directly behind you, or anything that is not directly in the line of sight provided by the mirror. Relying solely on parking sensors can give a false sense of security, as sensors may not detect all obstacles, especially smaller ones, and they also depend on working correctly.

Turning your head as far as possible without looking back isn't as effective as a full look over your shoulder, as it may not give you the comprehensive view necessary to ensure a safe backup. In summary, combining a shoulder check with mirror use provides the best overall visibility and safety when reversing a vehicle.