When we are trying to reverse,i see all the time, cars that have no patience just to wait a few seconds in their hectic and busy day,as i try to reverse in to a premises off the main road,only today,at a drop point,the only way in is to back,but you have to be on the other side of the road to swing in,a car could not wait,and he nearly got hit as i swung in.
The cars drive up to my back bumper,and do not move,they get angry,toot the horn,and i get offered a some coffee beans.
Rant over,keep calm,move on,there is nothing to see.
Frustrating isn’t it? But no car driver can read your mind,and as we don’t have giant illuminated signs on the front and back of our vehicles that can tell them what we are about to do,then it’ll never improve.
What i would do to save yourself the stress is simply pull in to the left using your indicator,then if you’re blocking one side of the road,your hazard lights,this is a clear indication that you need to stop first and foremost,and no matter what length of time it might take,wait until the road is sufficiently clear of passing traffic to carry out your manouvre.
Remember,as you are the one carrying out the reverse,the onus is on you to take the most care,regardless of what others are doing around you,if you strike an impatient passing car during a reverse,it’s you who’ll be called into question as the professional driver.
If the premises has one who is fully trained in the art of being “Banksman”,then ask for them to be present during the reverse to act as a second pair of eyes.
Does it matter, is it really that big of a deal you have you come a rant on a forum about it.
obsessivecompulsive2:
Frustrating isn’t it? But no car driver can read your mind,and as we don’t have giant illuminated signs on the front and back of our vehicles that can tell them what we are about to do,then it’ll never improve.
I was reversing out of the Howdens Joinery place in Harrogate. There was one of the employees stood out in the road in hi-viz stopping traffic and I had hazards, reverse lights and reversing warning. I was 3/4 of the way out and a tart in a BMW X5 decided to go around the back of me.
I used to deliver to a place in Huddersfield that made coffins. It was on a rat run and the cars would actually drive into the entrance of the factory to get around you when you reversed in.
Conor:
obsessivecompulsive2:
Frustrating isn’t it? But no car driver can read your mind,and as we don’t have giant illuminated signs on the front and back of our vehicles that can tell them what we are about to do,then it’ll never improve.I was reversing out of the Howdens Joinery place in Harrogate. There was one of the employees stood out in the road in hi-viz stopping traffic and I had hazards, reverse lights and reversing warning. I was 3/4 of the way out and a tart in a BMW X5 decided to go around the back of me.
I used to deliver to a place in Huddersfield that made coffins. It was on a rat run and the cars would actually drive into the entrance of the factory to get around you when you reversed in.
And that’s happened to me many many times,with and without a banksman,the onus is still on you even though she decided she simply couldn’t wait and ignored the banksman and your reverse/hazard lights,these are not there as a “Give me the right of way signal”,they are purely a warning to other road users,they are under no obligation to wait while you carry out the reverse,it’s a common sense thing,but impatience always over-rides that with most car drivers.
I know it’s a real bug bear of this job,but as the professional,it entirely upto you to prevent any incident when reversing.
And that is why, in the past, I have just stopped, rolled a ■■■ and proceeded to smoke it outside of my vehicle, whilst it is blocking most of the road 
Whats good for us, can only be good for them…And that is how I see it these days, as no one gives a stuff, so why in hells name should I?
I do everything possible to make my intentions clear, as I approach the site I’ll indicate and slow down. If the site is on the left and there is no oncoming traffic I’ll flick my LED beacons on, 2 on front, 2 on back of cab and 2 between ramps at car driver eye level. Having slowed the traffic behind me I’ll pull across the road at about 45% before attempting to reverse in. In the second or so that it takes for the box to select reverse I’ll have people trying to squeeze through. I’m so tempted to just demolish them.
Couple times I’ve just gotten out and approached a car with the truck keys and told them to do it.
Soon shuts them up and makes them realise it’s not easy.
It’s frustrating, I approach with left indicator on, taking all the road/time it for a gap in the oncoming traffic, when the back end is almost level with the entrance I need I slow almost to a stop tapping the brake lights, put hazards on, check everyone else has come to a stop, then get the angle I need, select reverse, If there’s a wally up my backside I just sit there till they work it out. I do the business carefully and keeping goods obs. Now if some numpty bumps into you then there is a clause in the highway code rule 221 iirc, that you need to remind them of 
. Mostly I don’t have a problem but you occasionally get a numpty that can’t wait, but I try and put myself in such a position so that the only way round is on the kerb! Some might call this bullying, I prefer to call it coercing others to make the decision you want by your positioning.
MADBAZ:
It’s frustrating, I approach with left indicator on, taking all the road/time it for a gap in the oncoming traffic, when the back end is almost level with the entrance I need I slow almost to a stop tapping the brake lights, put hazards on, check everyone else has come to a stop, then get the angle I need, select reverse, If there’s a wally up my backside I just sit there till they work it out. I do the business carefully and keeping goods obs. Now if some numpty bumps into you then there is a clause in the highway code rule 221 iirc, that you need to remind them of
221
Large vehicles. These may need extra road space to turn or to deal with a hazard that you are not able to see. If you are following a large vehicle, such as a bus or articulated lorry, be aware that the driver may not be able to see you in the mirrors. Be prepared to stop and wait if it needs room or time to turn.
That is rule 221,no-where in that does it says that other road users HAVE to stop,it says be prepared to stop,if they choose to ignore that rule and you strike them during a reverse,you are liable,unfortunately,i know it seems unfair but i don’t make the rules.
If a car mounts the kerb to get passed the rear of your vehicle they have also committed an offence under the rules,but two wrongs never make a right.
If there’s a wally up my backside I just sit there till they work it out. I do the business carefully and keeping goods obs. Spot on,stop and wait until you can see it’s clear to continue.
att:
And that is why, in the past, I have just stopped, rolled a ■■■ and proceeded to smoke it outside of my vehicle, whilst it is blocking most of the road
Whilst I agree in principal of the quoted post I also see it as that is one of the reasons we are hated!!
att:
Whats good for us, can only be good for them…And that is how I see it these days, as no one gives a stuff, so why in hells name should I?
The reason you should give a stuff is that you are the professional driver. The average car driver, and in some cases van driver doesn’t know/realise how much space you actually need and it is down to you and you alone to let them know!!
When reversing in or off premises 9 out of 10 it’s a no no without a banksman!
dri-diddly-iver:
att:
And that is why, in the past, I have just stopped, rolled a ■■■ and proceeded to smoke it outside of my vehicle, whilst it is blocking most of the roadWhilst I agree in principal of the quoted post I also see it as that is one of the reasons we are hated!!
att:
Whats good for us, can only be good for them…And that is how I see it these days, as no one gives a stuff, so why in hells name should I?The reason you should give a stuff is that you are the professional driver. The average car driver, and in some cases van driver doesn’t know/realise how much space you actually need and it is down to you and you alone to let them know!!
When reversing in or off premises 9 out of 10 it’s a no no without a banksman!
Not only is it something for motorists to hate us even more for,but it’s committing an offence to purposely block the carriageway just to prove a point to other road users,is it worth getting points on your licence for that?
I reverse in & out of drive ways everyday off the main road, I find putting the lorry at angle across both lanes with the arse end pointing in the general direction you want it to go means nobody can pass until you have manoeuvred, obviously you must wait until the road is clear to put yourself in this position but that’s where being a professional comes in , also once you put the hazards on you are invincible & above the law & can do what the hell you like
If a car squeezes past you whilst reversing etc, don’t get excited, just think that the car driver may be taking an injured child to hospital.
probably not true but at least it calms you down 
del949:
an injured child to hospital.
Why is it always a child■■? What difference does it make?? Injured person/people is just that…age is irrelevant 
dri-diddly-iver:
del949:
an injured child to hospital.Why is it always a child■■? What difference does it make?? Injured person/people is just that…age is irrelevant
Or a sick puppy to the vets 
What’s the legal point on people who cut behind you once you have started reversing then.
But I’d have thought that once you have started the manoeuvre (forwards at an angle with clear indication of intent) then you’d be on fairly safe ground. Driving behind a vehicle that is reversing surely becomes dangerous or driving without due care.
10-08:
dri-diddly-iver:
del949:
an injured child to hospital.Why is it always a child■■? What difference does it make?? Injured person/people is just that…age is irrelevant
Or a sick puppy to the vets
Or they have an appointment with a psychiatrist, to try to deal with their issues of waiting for truck to complete a manourve.
8wheels:
What’s the legal point on people who cut behind you once you have started reversing then.But I’d have thought that once you have started the manoeuvre (forwards at an angle with clear indication of intent) then you’d be on fairly safe ground. Driving behind a vehicle that is reversing surely becomes dangerous or driving without due care.
The legal point on people who squeeze past you when trying to reverse is an offence committed,and probably driving without due care,or possibly careless or wreckless driving,but that is for a trained Police Officer to decide if an accident were to occur.
I don’t think you are on fairly safe ground,even with the use of hazard lights,reversing lights or beacons or any other warning device as these serve merely to warn others of your intention to reverse,the angle you adopt before is irrelevant even if it’s blatantly obvious to everyone else what’s about to happen.