Parking backwards - Is it safer?
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Originally Posted By: MarkC
What if the parking spaces are diagonal? Hard to back into those, though I se people pulling through from the other side, and if you do, then you angled into the flow of traffic when you pull out.
A lot of places in Oz have angled parking (45% rear to kerb).
It's only a 45% reversing maneuver rather than a 90, and you are almost with the traffic flow on exit.
What if the parking spaces are diagonal? Hard to back into those, though I se people pulling through from the other side, and if you do, then you angled into the flow of traffic when you pull out.
A lot of places in Oz have angled parking (45% rear to kerb).
It's only a 45% reversing maneuver rather than a 90, and you are almost with the traffic flow on exit.
Is the 'Safety' aspect of backing in aimed at saving property damage or pedestrian injury? Depending on the vhecal and the Drivers ability/familiarity, backing in could be hazardous. Imagine a Truck or large SUV backing into a parking space, there is minimal clearance either side, and the vhecal to the rear of the stall may be completely obscured from view for the last few feet (I have been in such a situation, and have had to judge how far to back-in by comparing my location to the vhecal next to me, not good!) If backing out is done SLOWLY (and assuming that those driving down the lanes are attentive and driving moderately slowly) I would imagine 'contact' is less likely
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
When you back out of a parking space, you are backing into a larger area.
Maybe it's because I live in a somewhat small town area with lots of space, but that's the principle all the parking lots around here are based on. Everyone parks forward except a few people who drive all the way through to the next spot.
Honestly, if some business made a rule about parking backwards here I'd be afraid to park there, knowing the general public would be backing up closely to my truck.
For police and other things it's a different story...
When you back out of a parking space, you are backing into a larger area.
Maybe it's because I live in a somewhat small town area with lots of space, but that's the principle all the parking lots around here are based on. Everyone parks forward except a few people who drive all the way through to the next spot.
Honestly, if some business made a rule about parking backwards here I'd be afraid to park there, knowing the general public would be backing up closely to my truck.
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We have angle parking in town here on one side of the street. It's a pain. You back in against traffic ..normally this isn't too bad ..we all do it for parallel parking ..but figuring the angle is rough. Now leaving is a snap ..but it promotes U-turns ..which are illegal ..but more facilitated by the head start that the angle parking provides.
When I worked in medical tubing extrusion, most of the employees were from India or Bangladesh. They were all bad. Women must never drive in their native countries. I was early to work and was sitting in the lunchroom. I watched this woman attempt to park for about 15 minutes. The lot was pretty empty ..it was the weekend (overtime). Back and forth ..missing the proper alignment every time. Maybe she was practicing ..but she was failing.
Oh ..and if you see someone who looks like they must be totally stoned and in lala land, it's not the case. They're probably a Liberian.
When I worked in medical tubing extrusion, most of the employees were from India or Bangladesh. They were all bad. Women must never drive in their native countries. I was early to work and was sitting in the lunchroom. I watched this woman attempt to park for about 15 minutes. The lot was pretty empty ..it was the weekend (overtime). Back and forth ..missing the proper alignment every time. Maybe she was practicing ..but she was failing.
Oh ..and if you see someone who looks like they must be totally stoned and in lala land, it's not the case. They're probably a Liberian.
We went for a walk a few months ago, and were crossing an underutilised car park (it's incredible how the placement of entrances and exits can lead to one lot being parked beyond capacity, and the other 2/3 empty at the same time in the same centre).
sitting out on it's lonesome was a mint beetle, really nice restoration, straight as.
Thought to myself "I'd park out there if it was mine".
Next thing a beat up mid 80s ford meteor (Mazda 323) with Learner's Plates pulls up near it and starts practicing reverse parking right next to it.
I stayed to watch, in case licence plates needed recording, and it was a good solid 10 minutes of entertainment (no biffo, which was good).
sitting out on it's lonesome was a mint beetle, really nice restoration, straight as.
Thought to myself "I'd park out there if it was mine".
Next thing a beat up mid 80s ford meteor (Mazda 323) with Learner's Plates pulls up near it and starts practicing reverse parking right next to it.
I stayed to watch, in case licence plates needed recording, and it was a good solid 10 minutes of entertainment (no biffo, which was good).
Often see backed in cars at the "no-tell motel". Makes it harder for the private dic's to copy the plate #
Bob
Bob
Originally Posted By: 1sttruck
A friend described parking in Paris..... while sitting outside and having a nice lunch they watched a gentleman walk up to his car, the guy looked at how he been blocked in by the car in front and back, the guy shrugged, got in his car, and then proceeded to ram the cars front and back until he was able to get out.
That's hilarious!
We have folks in my area who live on main streets (5 lane) and back out of their driveways into the middle turn lane. I cringe every time they do it. Should have a bit of concrete off the side of their drive to do a 3 point turn and come out forward.
A friend described parking in Paris..... while sitting outside and having a nice lunch they watched a gentleman walk up to his car, the guy looked at how he been blocked in by the car in front and back, the guy shrugged, got in his car, and then proceeded to ram the cars front and back until he was able to get out.
That's hilarious!
We have folks in my area who live on main streets (5 lane) and back out of their driveways into the middle turn lane. I cringe every time they do it. Should have a bit of concrete off the side of their drive to do a 3 point turn and come out forward.
If people drove reasonably in parking lots the whole issue would be moot. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people flying down a row of cars with no ability to see around SUVs etc for someone backing out. On a cellphone.
When I'm driving in a parking lot, or along the front of a strip-mall I always think "what if a kid ran out". I typically go much slower than the guy behind me appreciates. F him, I'm not going to kill somebody's kid to save 30 seconds.
My standard procedure for backing out of a spot when two people are in the car is that the driver looks toward the right rear and the passenger looks to the left rear. Much better visibility in those quadrants from those seating positions...has saved me at least once. Plus it is easier on the neck. Do the opposite in Australia
When I'm driving in a parking lot, or along the front of a strip-mall I always think "what if a kid ran out". I typically go much slower than the guy behind me appreciates. F him, I'm not going to kill somebody's kid to save 30 seconds.
My standard procedure for backing out of a spot when two people are in the car is that the driver looks toward the right rear and the passenger looks to the left rear. Much better visibility in those quadrants from those seating positions...has saved me at least once. Plus it is easier on the neck. Do the opposite in Australia
Originally Posted By: Spitty
Is the 'Safety' aspect of backing in aimed at saving property damage or pedestrian injury? Depending on the vhecal and the Drivers ability/familiarity, backing in could be hazardous. Imagine a Truck or large SUV backing into a parking space, there is minimal clearance either side, and the vhecal to the rear of the stall may be completely obscured from view for the last few feet (I have been in such a situation, and have had to judge how far to back-in by comparing my location to the vhecal next to me, not good!) If backing out is done SLOWLY (and assuming that those driving down the lanes are attentive and driving moderately slowly) I would imagine 'contact' is less likely
But what if backing out you can't see a guy in a wheelchair, a kid, etc? You're describing a "Hail Mary" procedure.
Lining up your windshield/a-pillar/steering wheel with the car next to you is actually a great way to make all the cars look aligned. New car dealer "lot boys" do this and they really cram the stock in.
As this thread evolved I started thinking about different parking lot styles. I back in only when it's against a curb. Mall & supermarket parking lots etc (I rarely shop) I pull in frontwards, all the way if I can. There's the 10% chance when I come out, the spot in front of me will have opened up and I can go straight through. If I back in, I'm guaranteed to have backed in.
Is the 'Safety' aspect of backing in aimed at saving property damage or pedestrian injury? Depending on the vhecal and the Drivers ability/familiarity, backing in could be hazardous. Imagine a Truck or large SUV backing into a parking space, there is minimal clearance either side, and the vhecal to the rear of the stall may be completely obscured from view for the last few feet (I have been in such a situation, and have had to judge how far to back-in by comparing my location to the vhecal next to me, not good!) If backing out is done SLOWLY (and assuming that those driving down the lanes are attentive and driving moderately slowly) I would imagine 'contact' is less likely
But what if backing out you can't see a guy in a wheelchair, a kid, etc? You're describing a "Hail Mary" procedure.
Lining up your windshield/a-pillar/steering wheel with the car next to you is actually a great way to make all the cars look aligned. New car dealer "lot boys" do this and they really cram the stock in.
As this thread evolved I started thinking about different parking lot styles. I back in only when it's against a curb. Mall & supermarket parking lots etc (I rarely shop) I pull in frontwards, all the way if I can. There's the 10% chance when I come out, the spot in front of me will have opened up and I can go straight through. If I back in, I'm guaranteed to have backed in.
Yes it is safer.
I parked my just painted E-Type Jag way out away from a store where there were no cars. The area around the store was only partially filled with cars. Beyond where I parked was a dirt lot and nothing else. When I was in the store an old beat up car was parked right next to me. I was going to keep on shopping but instead I when out and moved my car to the other side of the lot that was also empty. Just before going into a restaurant for dinner I looked out and there were three cars parked around me in an otherwise empty lot. I was so upset that my wife and I left and went someplace else to eat. Sounds petty but I don't like the idea of this herding behavior. I also see it on the freeways. There will be two cars traveling down the road but one car will be right behind the other. I looks like the second car needs a pace car.
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I told you about portal emissions leaking through. It's been known to have this effect here for quite some time. You need to realign your containment field.
Didn't you get the memo? Oh, and you really need stabilize your infrastructure (memories of a Tom Baker "Dr. Who" where he went down a set of steps twice in a short time while walking with another time lord in the Tardus)
Didn't you get the memo? Oh, and you really need stabilize your infrastructure (memories of a Tom Baker "Dr. Who" where he went down a set of steps twice in a short time while walking with another time lord in the Tardus)
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