Reverse angle parking

[dotfurio]

We just installed some reverse angle parking in some areas downtown. It's supposed to be safer - no backing out into traffic and no standing in traffic to access your trunk.

So far what seems to be happening is a lot of drivers are crossing traffic to park front-first into the slots instead of reversing into them.

I haven't tried them myself. I've never reversed into any parking spot because I don't feel confident that I won't hit the cars parked next to me. I suppose I should go practice sometime in an empty lot. A friend of mine has been doing all her parking in reverse since she got her new car with a back-up camera. She says it's so much easier than parking front first. My current car is too old to have a camera, maybe I'll do better when I eventually get a new one.

So I'm curious who else has these types of parking spots in their area?

 

[mom2rtk]

I have a back-up camera and still wouldn't like this.

I would never even pull into a lane with spots going that direction. Good luck to them retraining everyone who ever parks there.

 

[EveDallas]

I would hate that.

 

[jrmasm]

I would hate that.

Same.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Oh look. It's Miss all parking spots are my property. Look at her expertly drive right up behind my car so I can't back in.
And there is Mr. I'm not afraid of oncoming vehicles guy spots the space on the other side of the road and pulls right in after cutting me off.

 

[Imzadi]

So far what seems to be happening is a lot of drivers are crossing traffic to park front-first into the slots instead of reversing into them.

Is there some law or a sign posted where one HAS to reverse into the space? I see all the time where people in the opposite lane cross over to park in the space. I've done it myself, if I see a space free and there is no one driving up to it. Otherwise, you have to drive where you can make a U-Turn just to drive past the space & back in. By that time, someone has made their way in front of you and will get to the space first, even though you spotted the open space from across the street.

Oh look. It's Miss all parking spots are my property. Look at her expertly drive right up behind my car so I can't back in.

We have people do this all the time in NYC, where to get a parking space, it's like the movie, Road Warrior, where everyone driving is out for themselves. We have parallel parking here, and when the spaces are tight, one has to pull ahead of the space and back in. You can't drive forward, turning the front wheels enough to get the rear end into the space in one shot, unless there is a half space ahead to pull forward into, which rarely happens.

After having several people drive up right behind me so I can't back into the space, essentially claiming the space for themselves, I've learned a little of trick of, yes, driving forward into the space, with my rear end still sticking out slightly at a weird angle, but not blocking traffic. Then WAITING till all traffic passes and the road is clear, so I can reverse back out, pull forward and reverse in properly, without anyone around to swoop in. I'll even wait out the person behind me who is thinking I have to pull back out to parallel park correctly and they will then swoop in to nab the space once I'm out. One time, I out-waited a person for 8 minutes

as they waited for me to pull back out. Uh-uh. SO, not happening. I just took the time to clean the car out. And finally that person moved forward and looked for another space.

 

[dotfurio]

Is there some law or a sign posted where one HAS to reverse into the space? I see all the time where people in the opposite lane cross over to park in the space. I've done it myself, if I see a space free and there is no one driving up to it. Otherwise, you have to drive where you can make a U-Turn just to drive past the space & back in. By that time, someone has made their way in front of you and will get to the space first, even though you spotted the open space from across the street.

Yes, here in my town at least. The police say they will start writing tickets after a 30 day grace period. The fine is only $35, though. Hardly worth the paperwork for them I imagine.

Here's a pic from our local paper - you can see how well people are following directions, lol.

 

[Imzadi]

Here's a pic from our local paper - you can see how well people are following directions, lol.

 

[LYSE]

That road does look like a perfect fit for reverse parking.

I do it sometimes when there is sometime to reverse (no traffic behind me) or when it may be beneficial to have the trunk be right on the sidewalk.

 

[Pooh2]

We live in a small town, they just did this on Main St. Still seems odd.

 

[Princess Mulan]

I frequently visit a town that instituted this policy a few years ago. The body shops love it! They get lots of business repairing or replacing bumpers and tailpipes from people who hit the curb when backing in. It’s particularly rough for low-profile sedans.

The residents and downtown business owners hate it. Business owners say it has caused a drop off in their business, and some residents say they don’t go downtown as often as they used to because they despise the parking.

 

[diznygirl]

Why not just angle it the other way and have head-in parking? Seems they just made a problem for themselves.

 

[DisneylandDarling]

I try to only back into parking spaces, so kinda like this idea. Except for the people who don't know how to use them and get right on your tail as you're trying to backup into one.

I'm anxious in parking lots (store fronts are my nightmare haha) and am able to monitor non-moving objects much better than moving (pedestrians).

 

[disykat]

I think it actually makes good sense IF the person behind you understands your intention of wanting to back into that space.

Wouldn't most people just assume you were going to make a right turn at the next intersection? But that's always been an issue with parallel parking too. You turn on your blinker and pull forward to angle back and someone not paying attention comes right up behind you. ERGH.

 

[Imzadi]

I try to only back into parking spaces, so kinda like this idea. Except for the people who don't know how to use them and get right on your tail as you're trying to backup into one.

Wouldn't most people just assume you were going to make a right turn at the next intersection? But that's always been an issue with parallel parking too. You turn on your blinker and pull forward to angle back and someone not paying attention comes right up behind you. ERGH.

It helps if you don't pull forward past your space. Signal, stop before your space, and stick your hand out the window to wave the person behind you go around you. They are usually right behind you. But, once they realize you are planning to pull into that space and that is why you are stopped, (they will look in their rear view mirror or behind them to back up,) you can then creep forward enough so they don't have to back up, but have the room to maneuver to the left around you. You will be fully in front of your space at that point. Once they are gone, you can pull all the way forward and back into your space.

Of course that only works if they aren't after the same parking space. Which is why you need your car to be covering your space. You are essentially saying, "This space is mine. Go around me, please. So I can back into it once you are gone."

And it only works if once they move around you, someone behind them doesn't pull forward and is now on your tail where they were. And you have to once again motion to go around you.

 

[tvguy]

Yes, here in my town at least. The police say they will start writing tickets after a 30 day grace period. The fine is only $35, though. Hardly worth the paperwork for them I imagine.

Here's a pic from our local paper - you can see how well people are following directions, lol.

Is it just me, or does this seem like the least safe parking setup possible?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Yes, here in my town at least. The police say they will start writing tickets after a 30 day grace period. The fine is only $35, though. Hardly worth the paperwork for them I imagine.

Here's a pic from our local paper - you can see how well people are following directions, lol.

HAHAHAHA!!!

 

[mousefan73]

Oh! I love it!! Makes total sense. Totally makes it easier merging back into traffic. If you can parallel park you can do this. This is easier And IMO anyone who drives should be able to parallel park.

It’s simple use your side mirrors. If you see space keep moving.

 

[mousefan73]

Q

HAHAHAHA!!!

question is how do they get back into traffic without stopping traffic or causing an accident? I hope they do not reverse all they back to cross lanes!!!

 

[Skellingtonj]

Same.

Same. And I have a back up camera. Barely use it.