Everything you need to know about reversing alarms
A reversing alarm: the familiar audible warning to bystanders and fellow road users when a vehicle is reversing.
At first glance, not a very exciting little device, but on closer inspection it’s worth looking into a bit more deeply.
After all, there is quite a difference between one alarm and another.
Consider, for example, volume, construction shape and robustness.
In addition, not every reversing alarm produces the same kind of sound.
Squeak or creak
We all know the familiar “beep-beep” sound when a truck reverses.
These so-called standard tailgate alarms have been a common sound in traffic for years.
Standard reverse alarm:
The sound spreads over a long distance in every direction.
Just what you want, you might say.
Standard reverse alarm
Yet this is not always ideal.
Because sound travels in every direction and bounces off walls, for example, it is sometimes difficult to figure out exactly where the sound is coming from.
This leads to you being surprised because a vehicle suddenly comes from a different direction than you would think.
In vehicles equipped with a so-called “multi-frequency” reversing alarm, this problem does not occur.
Instead of the familiar beeping sound, this type of reversing alarm produces a kind of crackling sound.
Standard reversing alarm:
One of the characteristics of this sound is that it travels only in one direction.
It also does not bounce off walls.
White noise reversing alarm
You therefore hear this sound only if you are á behind the vehicle, i.e. in the danger zone.
Choices for reversing alarms
Wondering which reversing alarm is best suited for your vehicle?
Find out in a few moments with our decision aid:
Noise
Another feature of multi-frequency reversing alarms is that the sound degrades faster.
This means, therefore, that it cannot be heard hundreds of meters away.
Especially when work is in progress in a residential area, or when work continues at night, reversing alarms can cause considerable noise pollution for local residents.
Because the sound of multi-frequency alarms carries much less far, these reversing alarms also cause much less noise pollution.
Adjusting to ambient noise
There is another way to minimize noise pollution: self-adjusting reversing alarms, also called a “smart alarm.
These alarms automatically adjust the volume they produce to the ambient noise.
That is, the alarm will always sound 5 dB louder than the noise around the vehicle.
Self-adjusting reverse alarm
At night, therefore, the alarm makes much less noise than during the day.
Even if the vehicle is driving in a quiet area, with a smart alarm, it causes much less, if any, nuisance.
Both standard and multi-frequency reversing alarms are available as smart alarms.
Still have questions?
We are happy to help you with your personal wishes.
Together we look at the possibilities.
That is the strength of Rietveld.
Customization, personal attention, short lines of communication with always the Easy Mindset.