To me, it seems objectively easier to pull into a parking space forward and then back out of the space when you are ready to leave. You don’t have to line up with the lines while driving backwards, and it’s easier to keep from hitting other cars as well. So why back in? To me, the only advantage I can think of is that you can get out quicker, technically.
Edit: I do not need driving instruction, just wondered why. The reasoning.
I mean they asked a question to get an answer. Telling them to ignore and listen to your reason and that it’s to do with ego is a terrible way to deal with things you disagree with in life.
I just learned how to drive this year and reverse parking is not difficult, I do it quickly and get it right first try. If others find it difficult and need to go in head first, then go head first. I try to make it easier to leave. If it’s not for you, live your life. Not everyone struggles with reverse parking … I honestly didn’t even know people did. I figured everyone with a license could do it easily.
The thing is, I don’t actually disagree with it. I don’t care what other people do if it doesn’t affect me, I just understand why and I’m willing to say it out loud.
Or maybe it’s not that they are good drivers with egos about their abilities, but rather, you are a bad driver with an ego about judging others incorrectly.
That was my point. With how tight European car parks are it’s damn near impossible to get to the storage area if you park the wrong way around. Potential damage trying is why I won’t park anywhere near someone who’s parked nose out.
but seriously, its much easier to reverse into space your car is driving perpendicular to, op just hasn’t quite figured out how steering or mirrors work
I didn’t see anyone else mention this, but to add to other comments, I don’t want to risk hitting the curb with my front splitter in my low-clearance sports car. Obviously SUVs don’t have this issue…
I like this answer, and had not considered it. Good insight. I knew people would have specific situations like certain parking areas or certain street parking, but I really wanted “general” answers, and this is a good one. Thanks.
My grandfather had two habits drilled into him in the Army: never put your hands in your pockets so they’re always ready for action, and always park your vehicle so it’s ready to go.
This means he always backed in, and always parked as close to the exit as possible. And he did post-drive checks to ensure fluids, lights, brakes etc. were as they should be and the vehicle was ready for immediate use.
And he wasn’t even a getaway driver after the war.
Yep I’m all about setting myself up for success. And backing into parking spaces does that. Also it’s drilled into my head from the oilfield that you will always back in because it’s safer.
It’s actually kind of inconvenient to be behind someone doing this. It takes longer than pulling in and sometimes it’s unexpected. Like I thought this one guy was turning but he was just lining up to back into a spot. He got mad when I pulled up behind him lol
Takes about the same amount of time as someone backing out when leaving, so it’s balanced out eventually. It’s a little unexpected but I don’t put my car anywhere I’m not 100% sure is safe, and backwards parking isn’t particularly rare, so I’m never really taken aback that much
You can just pull out of the spot and go, no need to change direction etc.
In a tight car park I have almost got stuck once because there wasn’t enough room for me to back out and get my nose out from between the cars on either side to move forward
Apart from the visibility argument. With this kind of parking spot you have to leave the spot in the other direction than you came in. So you’ll only get the enhanced agility for one of the moves.
Would you rather have more agility when getting into the tight parking spot or when leaving onto a larger street?
I get incredible satisfaction when I back into a parking spot at my local Sam’s Club where cars are constantly coming in and going. Watching my neighbor in the parking lot struggle to back out is hilarious.
Lots of people with sound, logical explanations of why it’s better and easier but nobody talking about, with the common angled parking lots these days, how you then end up pulling out the opposite direction of everyone else and going the wrong way down a one way lane or doing a u-turn and basically fucking everything up for anyone else.
Where I live, people give zero fucks about which direction the spaces are aligned. Even with giant arrows painted on the lanes, they will drive down the wrong way every damn time. I will stop my car and wait for their dumb asses to back up the way they came before I move. I could honestly care less which way you go into a parking spot, but driving the wrong way on one way lanes drives me insane.
I mean, those are lots in which I wouldn’t back in. Aside from the points you made, angled parking lots eliminate the drawbacks of pulling in. There’s better rear visibility towards one-way traffic, and the angle makes the alignment issue disappear.
I’m assuming all the arguments in favor of backing into parking spots are geared towards parking spots perpendicular to traffic.
Yeah I’m sure there are plenty of people who have the sense to think it through like you did, it’s just that I encounter the other type a couple times a week and felt like bitching about it.
Back-in-only spaces with the arrows pointed accordingly is sounding more and more like a superior solution.
I had trouble pulling into a parking spot when I first started driving, because I couldn’t judge how close the front of my car was to the car’s bumper next to me (as I turned in)
So I started backing-in because I could see everything with my mirrors and could maneuver more easily. I still prefer backing-in, depending on the situation
I started when I had a Smart Car, which made backing in really easy. The front wheels are almost in the same place as the back wheels, so the car almost rotates. It’s a shame they weren’t more popular.
I have a tiny car and no backup camera; it’s much easier for me to pull forward with the front-facing visibility of navigating a tight parking space and then just go straight back for a bit and have some clearance when getting out.
Personal preference and all but it just works. The time I would spend trying to get backing in just right isn’t worth my inconvenience and the inconvenience to others behind me as they wait.
And yes, I can parallel park when the time calls for it, it’s not my favorite thing to do though.
You don’t need a camera for backing in, though. If you look in your mirrors and you see that your own car doesn’t cover the side of the car next to you, you’re good to go.
You’re going to reverse when you leave, in the end you have to reverse anyway!
You’re just out of practice, I was a valet for 10 years, reverse parking was an obligation, majority of cars didn’t have a camera, zero scratch to my record.
I only occasionally drive into a space if I’m out shopping for groceries. So many times have I come back to find that I can’t load my bags into the car because someone has parked so close to the rear of my car.
I just hate that I have to do this because no doubt the biggest SUV with tinted windows will park along side me and reduce my visibility to that of a mole-rat.
I just started learning to drive a year ago and I’m 40 years old. I can reverse park and get it in there in the first try.
The way I was taught was to align my left/right mirror to the line two spaces away from where I was planning on reversing into. I use the mirror/windows as a guide and I’m done.
I think you can do it, just gotta get the practice in. I mean, that’s only if you care enough. If you’re happy with where you’re at that fine.
Backing in with a backup camera is easier, and pulling out forward is much safer. Once in a parking lot I nearly started backing out when a child dashed in front of my camera/rear bumper and I was disturbed by the possibility of what could have happened in another timeline.
This is why I started. There is a conspiracy of children living in my condo complex, and they ride their bikes in the parking lot. (What’s the collective adjective for children?) I figure I’m more likely to flatten one backing than driving forward, and I’m less likely to have a child behind me when backing in than when backing out. I know it’s a mistake for children to ride in parking lots, but it’s not my choice. They are not my children. My children made their mistakes thirty years ago, and I’m no longer responsible for them.
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