Pulling into a parking space backwards....

[SundaeAfternoon]

I do agree that it is frustrating to see someone try to back into a space and take like 5 tries to do it, but I rarely see that happening.

And at least they are trying to fix it if they didn't pull in straight. I'd rather wait a few extra seconds for somebody to do that, than for them to leave their vehicle crooked and too close to another car.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Wow- I never heard of anyone getting upset over people backing into a parking spot.

I always pull through at school for the same reasons mentioned by pp. I do not want to back out with all the kids in the parking lot. I wish everyone would pull through there. I do this most other places too for the same reason. I never back in, but only pull through.

If I'm grocery shopping I pull in forward so it is easier to load groceries fromt he cart into my car. I have never had a problem with someone backing in next to me. I can always open my car doors front and back.

 

[5lilfish]

Wow- I never heard of anyone getting upset over people backing into a parking spot.

I always pull through at school for the same reasons mentioned by pp. I do not want to back out with all the kids in the parking lot. I wish everyone would pull through there. I do this most other places too for the same reason. I never back in, but only pull through.

If I'm grocery shopping I pull in forward so it is easier to load groceries fromt he cart into my car. I have never had a problem with someone backing in next to me. I can always open my car doors front and back.

I would love to pull through. That is always my first choice. unfortunately, in the 2 cases I gave (Sabres games and the elementary school lot) that is not an option. There are no pull through spots (just one row of parking). These are the only 2 place I feel the need to back in (but I have no issues with anyone backing in..or pulling in. I guess I never would have given it any thought).

Jess

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I always pull in backwards into my space!! I do drive a BIG TRUCK! and it is much safer for everyone, because there are a LOT of people in this world that just DO NOT LOOK where they are walking! this way I can SEE who is in front of me! I have been pulling out before when I had parked by pulling in, and even thou I have backup lights on and am half way out, I still have stupid people that walk or pull there car out in front of me!

 

[golfgal]

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.

Yes and yes and I still don't get it. It makes more sense to me to pull forward and through to a spot so you can get out in a crowded venue so you don't have to back up at all and in the winter/snow example, I have front wheel drive so I want the power on the pavement to push me over the snow (which is basically clear since my car would have been parked there) vs trying to start the car going over the snow bank.

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?

It takes less time to pull forward into a long line of cars then it does to back into a long line of cars which is why I will park somewhere where I can pull forward and not have to back up at all.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I never knew that backing into a spot would irritate or anger the other drivers.

















I'll have to try this next time ! I'll even do an experiment and back in AND do it cross-ways to take up TWO spots. Whe I get back out to my vehicle I'll count the number of bodies arranged in a semi-circle around my car due to the number of people who saw what I did, blew a valve and keeled over right on the spot.

 

[amez]

But backing into a space is no different then backing out of a space -you still have to back up at some point .

that's exactly what I was thinking.

 

[ICF]

I HATE people that back into spots.....especially those that pass a spot, slam on their brakes and then go into reverse and almost hit me (since they are too stupid too look before they start backing up).

I can see the point at a concert / sporting event if thousands of people are going to be leaving at the same time.

However....really, do you need to do it in my office parking lot where at most there are 200 spots or the parking lot at Target?

Most people suck at parking like this. I've have seen people try to back into a spot and while they were failing at this, I've parked my car (like a normal person) and gotten into the store / work before they even get parked (much less out of the car).

In 99% of cases, there is no need for backing into a spot.

 

[mickeymedic]

I back in when ever possible. But then again, backing into driveways and other scenes is a requirement of my job. Those of us who back large vehicles all the time on the job usually have no problem backing our personal vehicles. Backing in becomes a matter of habit.

Like others have said, I would never have imagined that backing into parking spaces would be bothersome to anyone else. When I attend classes or teach at our public safety training center, pretty much all the cars are backed into their respective parking spaces. But no one complains about those who choose to pull in forward.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

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.

Same here!

 

[dawson5]

I get more annoyed by the person who I always seem to get stuck behind who waits 5+ minutes for that parking spot. They will pass up one parking spot, two spots farther away, just so they get that one closer. I will back up and take that one that is two spots down from them or the one farthest out, park and walk in the store, usually waving to them as they still sit and wait for that one "primo" spot.

 

[thebigkahuna]

nevermind......

 

[Kathi OD]

Really? If you are pulling out, you have eye contact with the other driver. Also, you can pull out and move right into the flow of traffic. You also have better vision to judge if there is an opening to pull out when you are facing forward.

This is quite true and I'm a puller-inner, not a backer-inner.

Seriously, the only people that bother me in a parking lot are the ones who need 4 or 5 times, and sometimes more, to pull in to the spot. They have no business being on the road.

FWIW, while most people have to make at least one maneuver to back into a spot, EVERYONE has to make at least one to back out of a spot. Do those who back in have just as much a right to feel inconvenienced by those of us who pull in because they have to wait for us to maneuver our cars out of the spot? I should think so.

Honestly, I don't see the need for all the hostility. If the one minute it takes for someone to back in really causes that much of an inconvenience, you really need to start planning better.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I tend to choose a pull-through if it's an option (even if it means more walking) but I do back in if there aren't pull-through spaces available. I agree with the school example - there are no children running around the parking lot when I arrive and take the extra few seconds to back in, but there are tons when I'm leaving, and I can see them better when driving forward.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

In all seriousness...My DH can back into a space faster than I can park facing front. Don't know what that says about my driving, but it's true...

IDK...I have way too many other things to worry about when I go to the store...like remembering toilet paper(which I forgot this morning and had to pack up the kids and go to HEB in basically a HURRICANE this morning) to worry about how someone parks.

 

[Disney Ella]

I got into an accident a few years ago because of someone backing into a spot. I was waiting for a truck to pass me so that I could back out of my spot. He pulled into a spot two spaces away, so I started backing out, not realizing he wasn't going to stay there. Just after I started backing out, he started backing out of the spot he just pulled into because he wanted to back into a spot on the other end of the row and hit my bumper.

If people are going to back into spots, I wish there was some way for them to indicate this when they first pull into a spot and then back into another spot behind them.

 

[luvmy3]

I got into an accident a few years ago because of someone backing into a spot. I was waiting for a truck to pass me so that I could back out of my spot. He pulled into a spot two spaces away, so I started backing out, not realizing he wasn't going to stay there. Just after I started backing out, he started backing out of the spot he just pulled into because he wanted to back into a spot on the other end of the row and hit my bumper.

If people are going to back into spots, I wish there was some way for them to indicate this when they first pull into a spot and then back into another spot behind them.

He hit your car when he was backing out of a spot, or when he was in the middle of backing into a spot?

 

[kaytieeldr]

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?

Eye contact

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

Do you mean side view mirrors? My rear view mirror is inside the car.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know why everyone thinks the world revolves around them.

Apparently you never got the memo? The world revolves around ME - and whenever possible, I back in.