Backing into parking spaces

[Carmudgeon]

Due to designed traffic pattern - like at Florida Publix lots with one way

LOL. Traffic pattern. One way.

More and more, I've found parking lots a free for all, and one way or not, it doesn't matter. Arrows, lanes, and lines have no meaning. Waiting for someone to back into a spot is the least of any problem.

There's one local lot where a one way parking lane exits very close to the lot entrance. Despite the prominent no turn/do not enter signs, they are regularly ignored. Blind? Just plain stupid? Or just don't care? Who knows. A traffic cop would have a field day every day if that was a stakeout spot.

 

[Patman]

I almost always back into spots because both of my cars sit rather low and when I get boxed in by all of the large vehicles out there nowadays it’s more difficult to see everything around me if I’m backing out of a spot later.

 

[dubber09]

I think they teach drivers to do this for past many years.
What doesn't make sense is most back in while shopping and block access to trunk and most stalls are more narrow now too, no room to drive cart between cars either.

 

[MHartfield]

It is a critical thinking exercise.

Backing into a space allows one to control the movement. Backing out of a space one doesn't control the movement. It is generally much easier to back into a space, and later drive forward out of a space, than the opposite.

+1

 

[mk378]

The only signs and marks in a store parking lot that a cop can enforce are the handicap only spaces and possibly the fire lanes. One-way streets have to be legally established as such, there is a lot more to it than putting up a sign.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The only signs and marks in a store parking lot that a cop can enforce are the handicap only spaces and possibly the fire lanes. One-way streets have to be legally established as such, there is a lot more to it than putting up a sign.

^^ This. Parking lots are are a free for all. If your in an accident in a parking lot for anything other than while your actually parked, odds are their insurance won't pay. They will say its your fault, which it might be because there are really no rules.

Backing in makes sense for all the reasons mentioned, mainly so you don't get clocked backing out.

 

[Ranger83]

This, and it’s also safer to pull forwards out of a parking space, rather than reversing.

Our company advised employees to back in.

In addition to seeing pedestrians better, you don’t have any right of way when backing.

 

[Al]

So its bad to back into a space and good to back out where there is more danger hitting someone?

 

[Vil_Riker]

Over the last number of monthsI've observed many people backing their vehicles into parking spaces where people have been parking head first forever. Often they block traffic while performing the parking maneuver.

Anyone know the reason folks are backing into parking spaces in greater and greater numbers?

Backup cameras or self park feature in cars help make this happen -- The desire was always there, the skills weren't.

 

[johnmyster]

It is a critical thinking exercise.

Backing into a space allows one to control the movement. Backing out of a space one doesn't control the movement. It is generally much easier to back into a space, and later drive forward out of a space, than the opposite.

Of note a high percentage of BITOGers park at the end of the parking lot, so no reason to worry about either method.

If you're more likely to need to get under the hood (broke down or jump start) than to need your trunk, it makes obvious sense to back in.

My employer requires it in our parking lot. The french "parent company" says it's for speedy exit in case of emergency. Nevermind that our 800 car lot has only one exit, which would clearly be the rate limiting factor. Seems the french are overly concerned with an emergency when they would need to flee leave quickly. Like an invasion or something.

All three of our cars have poor rear visibility. One of the three is 22 feet long. I'd rather survey the spot (which is a controlled enviornment) and then immediately back into it. The alternative is to survey the aisle when I get into the car, then as 45 seconds have passed, everything changes and you have to back out, dealing with limited visibility, etc.

It's also true that maneuverability is better when you put your steer axle into the spot last, for the same reason forklifts have steer axle on the back. Our truck is nearly impossible to back out of a spot in a single move.

Cross traffic can be bitter about me holding them up when I back in or when I back out. Same either way.

 

[johnmyster]

if the spot is at an angle i will go in head first . if the spot is straight i will back in . expect for malls which i rarely go to , most of the places i frequent are straight in.

If the spot is at an angle I'll go in the wrong direction and back into a spot.

 

[LostInTransit]

easy access in order to drive away faster cause it's very difficult to back into oncoming traffic.

 

[Pablo]

If the spot is at an angle I'll go in the wrong direction and back into a spot.

Until you run into an armed angry guy wearing a rainbow bozo suit and nose going the correct direction!

 

[TiGeo]

Why is this such a repeated topic here? Always some strong get off my lawn vibes in the comments "If it weren't for these new-fangled back up cameras and technology I'd be able to park faster and not have to wait for those youngsters! (waving arm in air)". Simple, it's safer to back in the to back out into a lane with cars going back/forth. Cameras have certainly gotten more people doing it. Many companies require it if you operate their vehicles/on their sites - I have worked for several. Me? I park far away and pull through anytime I can. Safer. Easier. Less fuss. Hard to load that Costco run into your trunk if you are backed in as well. My favorite are angled spots like at my local Publix with one-way rows. No need to back in or pull through but you know folks do it anyway for whatever reason. I'm teaching my third son to drive currently and the pull-thru is what I teach when it's available.

 

[TiGeo]

If the spot is at an angle I'll go in the wrong direction and back into a spot.

Why do you do this? Angled spots are safe pulling in/back out b/c they come with one way rows.

 

[Brons2]

It's annoying when I'm in a hurry and I have to sit and wait for someone to back in. If you're not holding me up, I don't have a problem with it. Sometimes I even do it myself, usually at church where I know it's going to be difficult to back out later.

 

[LostInTransit]

What's really annoying is this car pulled into 3 parking spaces (length wise) and sat there. Some areas are installing signs that say "head in parking only" and if your caught backing in.. you will get a ticket.

 

[opus1]

It's annoying when I'm in a hurry and I have to sit and wait for someone to back in. If you're not holding me up, I don't have a problem with it. Sometimes I even do it myself, usually at church where I know it's going to be difficult to back out later.

This^. When I was commuting to Chicago it seemed like there was always someone who never backed in before and decided that they were going to try it on a work-day morning. And again. And again. And again. And again. And here comes the train that I can't make because the driver is still trying to back into the spot and I don't want to abandon my car in the traffic lane.

Do whatever you're going to do but be proficient at it.

 

[SC Maintenance]

This^. When I was commuting to Chicago it seemed like there was always someone who never backed in before and decided that they were going to try it on a work-day morning. And again. And again. And again. And again. And here comes the train that I can't make because the driver is still trying to back into the spot and I don't want to abandon my car in the traffic lane.

Do whatever you're going to do but be proficient at it.

I can make the same comment about people trying to pull in, or back out, or pull in so crooked I can't open my door.

As an old boss of mine used to say, can't fix stupid. I will add "doesn't matter which direction there going".

 

[johnmyster]

If the spot is at an angle I'll go in the wrong direction and back into a spot.

Why do you do this? Angled spots are safe pulling in/back out b/c they come with one way rows.

Because it's funny to make a joke about on a forum.

It's not like anybody is following reasonable traffic rules at walmart anyway.