Pulling into a parking space backwards....

[Rainwater]

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.

You don't pull into a parking space backwards, you back in.

 

[Robinrs]

According to the NHTSA in 2007, a total of 221 people were killed and 14000 were injured in backing up incidents. Of those, 99 children were killed and 2000 were injured. I guess you should be looking out for adults darting out since their numbers seem to be higher, at least they were a few years ago.

I'm more than aware of the statistics, just like when we post statistics on the DIS about cellphones and driving someone will chime in about makeup and whatever other excuse they have about distracted driving.

I do check my surroundings before backing up, there are NO children in my neighborhood or my job, the places I park the most. If there were, like in my sister's area, I'd probably consider it.

Frankly I don't back in because I'm so horrendously BAD at it. I have no depth perception and crinkled up the back of my van the day I bought it because I can't figure how how close I am to something until I am right up on it. I better at figuring it out forward.

 

[Robinrs]

BTW, since I'm so horrible, I bought one of these.. http://home-solutions.hsn.com/total-mirror-rear-view-auto-mirror-2-pack_p-4585750_xp.aspx

Helps me with seeing what the HECK is behind me. Much better than my own lack of depth perception!

 

[luvmy3]

I'm more than aware of the statistics, just like when we post statistics on the DIS about cellphones and driving someone will chime in about makeup and whatever other excuse they have about distracted driving.

I do check my surroundings before backing up, there are NO children in my neighborhood or my job, the places I park the most. If there were, like in my sister's area, I'd probably consider it.

Frankly I don't back in because I'm so horrendously BAD at it. I have no depth perception and crinkled up the back of my van the day I bought it because I can't figure how how close I am to something until I am right up on it. I better at figuring it out forward.

I guess it is just what works for you, I'm a SAHM and 95% of the time I am parked where there are alot of kids so its just what I do. I don't do it always, but I try to do it when I can. When I can't and I back out and hit a bump I announce to my kids "I sure hope that wasn't a body" and we all have a chuckle. (yes we have a sick twisted sense of humor )
When I got my first minivan I would park at the very end of the lot because I wasn't even sure I could pull foward into a space between two cars. Now I could text, and put my make-up on while backing it into a space with ease

 

[Momvic5]

...you have to wait on people who prefer to back out of a parking space so why not extend that same courtesy to people who prefer to back into a parking space. If you have lost any time waiting on them to park, you will gain it back when they pull out....or maybe next time, they will have to wait on you as you back out.

Living in the land of big trucks and SUVs (Texas), you learn to deal with it. What's the point of getting irritated...it isn't going to change the fact that some people just prefer to back in...save yourself the stress lines.

 

[Robinrs]

...you have to wait on people who prefer to back out of a parking space so why not extend that same courtesy to people who prefer to back into a parking space. If you have lost any time waiting on them to park, you will gain it back when they pull out....or maybe next time, they will have to wait on you as you back out.

Living in the land of big trucks and SUVs (Texas), you learn to deal with it. What's the point of getting irritated...it isn't going to change the fact that some people just prefer to back in...save yourself the stress lines.

I'm from the land of impatience (NY) so I live irritated! No stress lines yet, but you know what don't crack!

 

[Momvic5]

I'm from the land of impatience (NY) so I live irritated! No stress lines yet, but you know what don't crack!

We visited your land last March, and we drove into NYC in our big SUV....talk about stress lines.

 

[Robinrs]

We visited your land last March, and we drove into NYC in our big SUV....talk about stress lines.

Yes, we don't say things like "Bless your heart"....

 

[Momvic5]

Yes, we don't say things like "Bless your heart"....

Trust me...."Bless your heart" was so not my dh's choice of words that day!

 

[auntie]

New Yorker here as well. Drive a truck.
Much rather back in than pull in. Always in one shot.
I gotta say I'm kind of amazed that anyone would care one way or the other.
Doesn't bother me that others rather pull in. To each his own.

 

[Magic Mom]

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.

And more space, which is why it is more difficult to back out in traffic than pull out.

It takes me about 10 seconds longer to back in than it does pull in. If someone is too impatient to wait 10 seconds, then that's their problem not mine. People get offended by the most stupid stuff.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Matter of safety sometimes and unloading groceries. I can back my 4wd Yukon in just fine. I don't always do it. It is safer for trucks and vans to back in a space.

If you go to pick up your kid at my dd's middle school the school resource officer will TELL YOU you must back in. Since he is a county officer you don't argue with him.

 

[Mermaid02]

At my dh's work they MUST back into parking spots and if you drive a company vehicle you MUST back into your parking spot NO MATTER where you are.

I rock at backing into a parking place- never have to go back and forth- practice makes perfect!

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Ok here's another answer: if I back into a space, only about 1/3rd of my car is pulled out into the traffic lane before I can safely see around that big suv parked next to my little car. If I pull in froward, 2/3 rds of my car will be pulled out into traffic before I, in my FRONT seat can see if there is oncoming traffic. And people driving around in parking lots are not known for driving slow & being considerate while you back out. I've almost had several accidents trying to back OUT of a space & NONE trying to pull out forward.

^^^THIS^^^

 

[PaulaSB12]

I always back in to a car park space. Its easy to do in one move and I prefer driving out than backing out of the space.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I always reverse into a parking space & 99% of the time can do it 1st attempt, no shunting backwards & forwards. I do it because it easier to pull out when I want to leave & safer as I can see clearly if people, cars etc are coming along

and I bet I can do it faster than OP can pull into a space. I do it at school to avoid hitting small children who run unsupervised.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I always back into a parking spot because this way you are not backing out into traffic. FYI your rearview mirror is inside your car.

 

[disney1990]

I almost always back into parking spaces. It is much easier to see people walking and cars when you are pulling back out.

 

[tiggerlover]

When I drive my car I usually always pull in forward, however, if there is an oportunity to pull thru I will do so in order to pull out easily. When I drive our truck I always park away from other cars and pull thru because of the blind spots on the truck I am more comfortable pulling out instead of backing up.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

It's safer to back in. I was taught that way in both my fire and police training days and my buddy who works for the phone company says they stress this also

This nails it. It's called defensive driving. I drove for the phone company and they absolutely REQUIRED backing in.

Any accident you may get into while backing is YOUR fault.

For my part, the only time I don't back in is if it will inconvenience another driver.... I won't hold you up to back in. But I'm not happy about it!

I will also park far away for a "pull through" space. Sometimes I wonder WHY the people that COULD pull through don't. My entire family calls it the Dorothy Pull-through.