Collision while reversing

- I drove out of the gate onto the road and there was a blow with an oncoming car. I could not see the road completely because of the bus standing on the right edge, which did not have the right to park in this place ...

Deputy Inspector Mariusz Olko from the Traffic Department of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Wrocław answers readers' questions.

- I drove out of the gate onto the road and there was a blow with an oncoming car. The bus, standing at the right edge of the road, prevented me from fully observing it, since it did not have the right to park in this place. I don't feel guilty about this clash. This is right?

- Well, according to the regulations - you are guilty of this collision. Article 23, para. 1, paragraph 3 of the Rules of the Road says that when reversing, the driver must give way to another vehicle or road user and take special care, in particular:

• make sure that the maneuver being performed does not threaten traffic safety and does not interfere with it;
• make sure that there are no obstacles behind the vehicle - in case of difficulties with a personal check, the driver must enlist the help of another person.

Thus, the legislator has clearly defined the specific duties of a driver performing a reverse maneuver. This is confirmed by the decision of the Supreme Court of April 1972.

In a situation where you had poor visibility and wanted to back out of the gate to enter traffic, you should arrange for the help of another person.