Pulling into a parking space backwards....

[MushyMushy]

I'm with you on this being a peeve. Plus, when people back in they often don't get between the lines properly -- they either back too far over the line or are too far into the parking lot, or hogging the space next to them, or are crooked.

I also don't get the argument that people are afraid of backing out of a spot for fear of hitting someone. You can just as easily hit someone backing into a spot as you can backing out. In all the time it takes to angle the vehicle around to get in position, people are still walking by, as well as behind.

I don't have problems parking. Maybe I just had a great driver's ed teacher in school, but it's always been fairly simple.

 

[Geoff_M]

Seriously, what's the point? Besides making things difficult for the most that pull in forwards.

Have you ever:

1) Parked in a long-term parking lot at a airport in the dead of Winter in an area known to get a lot of snow?

2) Do you ever park in the parking garage of a large sporting or entertainment venue where when everyone wants to leave a once and you can wait 5-10 minutes in a break in the exiting traffic so you can back out of your space?

If you can answer "yes" to either question, odds are you know the point.

 

[DizBelle]

1. That depends on the driver, I never have any problems backing my minivan into a spot

2. If you pull in foward and the big truck with the huge mirrors pull in foward arent the mirrors in the way of your front door? Why does it matter that they are now in the way of your back doors


I back in because I would rather pull out of the spot facing foward so I can be sure I'm not going to run anyone over.

On your response to point 2 - not correct. Think about it. If two vehicles are parked next to each other, both facing the same direction, then the rear view mirrors are in front of the front doors, more in line with the fender, and not impeding the opening of the front door.

If two vehicles are parked next to each other, facing different directions, the rear view mirrors of one vehicle are in line with the rear door of the other vehicle. It is also giving my person less room to maneuver at the door to the back seat.

Also, as another poster pointed out, unless you pull through, you are either backing up going in or backing in coming out. You are definitely backing up at some point and the same risk of "running anyone over" exists regardless of how you pull into the spot.

How about you just pay attention regardless of the direction in which you are going instead of making things difficult for someone else.

 

[SingingMUA]

Wrong, no. Inconsiderate, yes.

Why?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Have you ever:

1) Parked in a long-term parking lot at a airport in the dead of Winter in an area known to get a lot of snow?

2) Do you ever park in the parking garage of a large sporting or entertainment venue where when everyone wants to leave a once and you can wait 5-10 minutes in a break in the exiting traffic so you can back out of your space?

If you can answer "yes" to either question, odds are you know the point.

I'm sure she is either totally considerate and let's everyone out so that they don't get stuck for 15-30-60 minutes while everyone fends for themselves.

 

[phillmolly]

I don't have a problem with other people backing into spots, whatever, I don't it and don't see the point, but it irks the heck out of me when my DH does it, I swear he does just to show off what a great driver he is!!!

BTW I have a minivan, but I have a rear view camera on it that I love, I can see what is right behind me! It just dosn't work great when covered with snow and salt, LOL! I think all cars should have a RVC.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Why?

She deserves to get to her parking space in an expeditious manner. But I'll bet that she doesn't so much as wait for anyone to back out who is trying to leave unless she plans on taking their space.

 

[wdwfan16]

Backing out of a parking space is far more apt to cause an accident than backing into the space. I try to get a drive thru (both sides are open) and pull forward to the second space so I am always driving forward.

My concern it not you getting into your back seat but my being able to avoid an accident that could be your car or your family.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm sure she is either totally considerate and let's everyone out so that they don't get stuck for 15-30-60 minutes while everyone fends for themselves.

Actually I never see problems with it. In crowded parking lots around here, people usually will wait for you to back out because they want your spot.

I've never felt stuck in a spot. In fact, I always feel rushed.

 

[happygirl]

Not a big deal at all. I really find it funny the things people get upset about:lmao

 

[DizBelle]

How does pulling forward out of a parking space give you a better chance of getting out than pulling out backward when in a crowded parking area (e.g. leaving at the end of a concert or sporting event)? Either way you have to wait for a gap to pull out - what does forwards or backwards have to do with it?

 

[dawson5]

I don't agree with:
"Also, as another poster pointed out, unless you pull through, you are either backing up going in or backing in coming out. You are definitely backing up at some point and the same risk of "running anyone over" exists regardless of how you pull into the spot."
You're already in the throughway, you will see the people, if you are backing out they could be blocked by the vehicle next to you. Especially kids darting about. I usually don't have people walking behind me in the parking spot, but then I generally pull through and not back in. I do back in at church though. Too much traffic to try and back out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

How about you just pay attention regardless of the direction in which you are going instead of making things difficult for someone else.

Please let me know if you wait for all cars to back out of their spaces--or are you one of the many inconsiderate drivers who edges up bumper to bumper so as not to delay your exit at all by helping anyone back out.

 

[5lilfish]

Seriously, what's the point? Besides making things difficult for the most that pull in forwards.

How does it make things difficult?

1. It seems to take quite a while to pull in backwards - backward, forward, backward, forward, pull completely out and try again because you didn't get it right.

2. Now that you've pulled in backwards, your rear view mirrors are obstructing my ability to get into my back seat. Especially if you have a BIG truck with those rear view mirrors that stick out at least a foot from your vehicle.

I'm not sure what the big deal is... I guess, for me, this would qualify as one of those things that I'm not sure why someone would take the time to be upset about.

I only back into a spot in 2 situations:

(1) I back in when I go to the Sabres games. I park in a ramp. When the game ends everyone leaves at the same time. If I did not back in then I would never be able to get out due to traffic. In this case, it does take a few extra seconds, but virtually everyone else is backing in too (same reason, I would guess) so no one seems to complain.

(2) I back in when I pick my DD up at school. In this case, I am not holding anyone up because we're not all arriving at the same time. I back in here for safety. When I get there, there are no people around. When I leave, however, there are lots of small children. I like to be able to pull out of my spot so that I can be extra sure no child has escaped their parent's grasp and got behind my car.

My husband almost always backs in. I'm not exactly sure what his reasoning is but I don't see why it's a problem.

Jess

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Actually I never see problems with it. In crowded parking lots around here, people usually will wait for you to back out because they want your spot.

I've never felt stuck in a spot. In fact, I always feel rushed.

When leaving a venue where it is mass exodus chaos?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

How does pulling forward out of a parking space give you a better chance of getting out than pulling out backward when in a crowded parking area (e.g. leaving at the end of a concert or sporting event)? Either way you have to wait for a gap to pull out - what does forwards or backwards have to do with it?

You'll never understand--I suppose.

 

[MushyMushy]

When leaving a venue where it is mass exodus chaos?

Of course it's frustrating, but I don't see how people will let you out any quicker just because you're facing them than they will because you're backing out.

 

[DizBelle]

Why?

1. I have to contort myself to get around your rear view mirror to the front of my car.

2. I can't open my back door adequately as it is impeded by your rear view mirror.

 

[DizBelle]

Please let me know if you wait for all cars to back out of their spaces--or are you one of the many inconsiderate drivers who edges up bumper to bumper so as not to delay your exit at all by helping anyone back out.

I let my fair share out. Not everyone but that is just silly. But if everyone let one person out, imagine how much more smoothly things would go.

 

[FireDancer]

I almost always pull in backwards. It only takes me one maneuver because I know how to drive. Anyone who needs 4 moves to pull in backwards probably should not be doing it.

I find it easier to pull out forward because my car is small and if I end up next to an SUV I can't see anything. When you approach the spot you have a clear view of everything and know if there is a car coming. When pulling out you can't be so sure. That's why backing in is vastly different then backing out, you have a much wider field of sight on the way into a space then on the way out.

Leaving then also requires no maneuvers, just go. Backing out requires at least one maneuver.