People that back into their parking spots.

[blupupher]

Ironic thing is that the only accident I have been in in the past 10 years was one where I had backed into a spot to park. When I was pulling out, I was hit by a truck on the passenger side front. I could not see past the SUV on my right as I was pulling out, he was pulling into a spot and swung wide to get into it and was looking at the spot, not where his truck was.
I still back in most of the time, at work usually I can drive through and park facing forward, it is easier to get out.

 

[Gasbuggy]

Originally Posted By: stchman
Is it just me or do most people that back into their parking sport think they and their car is just too cool?

I mostly see it with guys that drive some exotic Euro car. They often back in taking up two spots at a "cool" angle. I wonder if they realize that nobody but them thinks they are cool.

I also see a lot of union guys do it as well.

Fancy parking is what a lot of people call it.

I am not against backing up to park if there is a reason, but it does not make someone more cool.


Backing in is for higher IQ drivers.

 

[ExMachina]

I dunno if its "cool" or "for higher IQ drivers" like said above^^^^. I do it often because its fun. Is that weird?

 

[Gasbuggy]

The type of car you claim to see most often backing in are by the far the most difficult kind to see out of. When visibility is a issue it's much easier to back into a space than back out of one. It reduces difficulty and risk considerably.


Originally Posted By: ExMachina
I dunno if its "cool" or "for higher IQ drivers" like said above^^^^. I do it often because its fun. Is that weird?


It takes extra skill which is why a small % enjoy doing it. I know I do. But if you're in a not so great area late at night don't back into a spot out front of a convenience store. You'll freak the employees out a little. That's what someone does if they're going to rob a place. Faster getaway.

 

[SLCraig]

I always back in when I am at home. At work I don't for whatever reason. At home it's shared parking at the condo so I don't always have the same spot, but I do always back in. Either with my SI or my Saturn.

 

[kkreit01]

Taking up 2 spots is never cool. Parking out in the back 40 to avoid door dings is cool -- as long as you keep it between the lines.

For business travel, my employer also requires backing into spots.

 

[SubyRoo]

I almost always back into a spot if its one that has a curb behind it.

I like to park next to other drivers that back in because (in my eyes at least) they made the extra effort to back their vehicle in and I run less risk of being on the receiving end of doors slamming my car etc. because they are more particular with their own vehicle.
This is compared to the drivers that swing wildly into a parking spot, leave the wheel turned only to realize it after they begin backing out when leaving and nearly take out the car next to them.

 

[linksep]

Originally Posted By: BMWTurboDzl
Don't like it because it slows traffic while we all wait for someone to "cha cha cha" into a space.


I would hazard a guess that overall it slows traffic less. It's easier and faster to back into a spot that can't possibly have traffic coming out of it (that you have already driven past to verify no obstacles) than it is to back out of said spot blind to potential oncoming traffic.

The thing I really hate is waiting for under-skilled drivers to "cha cha cha" their way out of a space at 0.0005 MPH in reverse. That and when I'm backing towards a space some "A-dub" zooms in forward stealing my spot (and usually parking with at least one tire completely over the line into the adjoining space).

 

[Falcon_LS]

I always reverse park. Not only it is easier to center the vehicle between the two lines, but departure is safer - less blind spots. It's easier to look right/left and then move forward than it is to try and monitor both sides and back up.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: stchman
Is it just me or do most people that back into their parking sport think they and their car is just too cool?


I ran some errands in town yesterday and used the pickup. I backed into a couple of different parking spots (note the correct spelling of "spot" as opposed to the original poster). At no time did it make me feel "too cool". But I did think of this ridiculous post and it was good for a laugh-after I safely backed in and shut the truck off.

 

[Shannow]

How many people have you seen back out into oncoming vehicles versus drive out into oncoming vehicles ?

Case closed, backing in is safer.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
How many people have you seen back out into oncoming vehicles versus drive out into oncoming vehicles ?

Case closed, backing in is safer.


You just don't get it, Shannow.

The hopelessly incompetent drivers are depending on the other vehicles to get out of the way. They don't know much, but they do know the parked vehicles are less likely to get out of the way than the moving ones.

 

[gregoron]

I back in of there isn't a line of cars behind me. But, I mostly back in if the curb or curb stops are too high and there is a chance that it'll snag my front end on the way out. Happened a lot of times with my old non-lowered VW MK4 Jetta. I'd be pulling out and the front lower lip rips off and I'd have to push it back in.

Besides, the time it takes you to back in is the same as the time it takes you to back out of the stall. It's a wash. I don't think you're inconveniencing anyone.

Post Edit: Also, there's less chance that you hit someone when you're coming out of a stall facing forward. By law, you do not have right of way coming out of a parking stall in this state. You have right of way going in so I exercise that by backing in.

 

[Traction]

Now this is getting to be a bit much, but most parking lots diagonal, so what's the point? If I'm late for church I wouldn't take the extra time to back in, and it doesn't take anymore skill to back out, than back in. All depends on the situation. I would never hold up traffic just so I could back in. It's like people waiting for a closer spot, while everyone else has to wait. Parallel parking would me a more interesting subject. I spend the effort it pick the best spot, no matter how far to avoid dings.

 

[3for3]

I used to always back into spots whenever I had the chance, and would not hold up traffic to do so. But now that our new car has a backup camera with cross traffic alert, it is easier to back out of a parking space.

Even backing into a space then pulling out can be more difficult if a large vehicle parks next to you and blocks all your view of traffic. With the backup camera I can see down both sides of the parking lot aisle just by putting the car in reverse and viewing the screen atop the dash. And, that cross traffic alert is brilliant when a speeder is approaching fast and you don't yet see it on camera or over the shoulder yet. Beeeeeeeeep, immediately stop backing up, and sure enough the 40mph driver in a 10mph area fly's by.

 

[gregoron]

Originally Posted By: 3for3
I used to always back into spots whenever I had the chance, and would not hold up traffic to do so. But now that our new car has a backup camera with cross traffic alert, it is easier to back out of a parking space.

Even backing into a space then pulling out can be more difficult if a large vehicle parks next to you and blocks all your view of traffic. With the backup camera I can see down both sides of the parking lot aisle just by putting the car in reverse and viewing the screen atop the dash. And, that cross traffic alert is brilliant when a speeder is approaching fast and you don't yet see it on camera or over the shoulder yet. Beeeeeeeeep, immediately stop backing up, and sure enough the 40mph driver in a 10mph area fly's by.


Good point. If I had an SUV with this backup camera and cross traffic alert I'd just drive in a stall. But, my current car's front lip is still prone to getting snagged by the curb. I try to stop before hitting it but I only get "alerted" when I hear the scrapping sound of the lip going over the curb.

 

[gregk24]

I just like being able to hope in the car and pull out! So I back in for convenience. But sure If my car has just been washed and waxed and looking good, I don't mind people catching a glimpse of that either