What is a driver’s duty to ensure safety and care while reversing?

Section 193 of the Motor Vehicle Act effectively prohibits a driver from causing a vehicle to move backwards unless it can be done safely. Section 193 places the onus to ensure safety and a high standard of care upon the reversing driver. Courts have described this standard as including a duty to be aware, as reasonably possible, of objects behind and in the driver’s path while reversing. Justice Hyslop noted that importantly, this is expected “… not just when the driver starts to reverse, but throughout the entire reversing procedure and to its completion”: Carson v. Henyecz, 2012 BCSC 314 at para. 99.