Anytime you can aid the operator keeping complete control of the forklift is a benefit to not only the operator but the pedestrian, product, and company property as well. I believe realistic additional layers of protection can help provide that control. As far as impaired reaward visibilty some manufactures such as Yale/Hyster offer a seat opition that swivels and locks to right and is designed to improve rearward visibilty. Our location has this opition on our forklifts and they work very well. I would like to here from some of the manufactures out there to see if they any opinions or ideas.