Do you park (your car) backwards?

SixPapaCharlie

SixPapaCharlie

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Sat for A solid minute while a man tried over and over backing his oversize truck into a Best Buy parking space. I sat wondering what he gets out of this method of fighting to get his car situated.

I have noticed at my work easily 30% of the people park backwards.
Often it appears to be a bit of a puzzle for them to get into the space backwards. Reverse, oops, forward, rever... erp.. no, forward, reverse there we go.
 
Ready to make a quick getaway!

The only time I park backwards is in my garage when I think there is going to be enough snow so that it would be easier to drive forwards out my driveway instead of backing out. My driveway is a slight uphill to the road.
 
I position my vehicle for minimum sun exposure to prevent heating through the windshield during the summer.....

In the winter... It is the exact opposite... Solar energy is a wonderful thing when it is -30f outside...:yes:
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Sat for A solid minute while a man tried over and over backing his oversize truck into a Best Buy parking space. I sat wondering what he gets out of this method of fighting to get his car situated.
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I guess you don't drive an oversize truck.

This guy's attempts aside, the physics of perpendicular parking a long wheelbase greatly favor backing in. Unless one prefers diagonal parking in a perpendicular spot.
 
Yup. I have a crew cab 4x4. Backing in is sometimes easier in a stall also.
 
ElPaso Pilot said:
I guess you don't drive an oversize truck.

This guy's attempts aside, the physics of perpendicular parking a long wheelbase greatly favor backing in. Unless one prefers diagonal parking in a perpendicular spot.
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No I drive a baby SUV. Never really owned a big truck before. I am a Texan though so I probably will at some point.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
No I drive a baby SUV. Never really owned a big truck before. I am a Texan though so I probably will at some point.
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Well, let us know when you get one. I bet your first attempts at perpendicular parking it will make your Best Buy Buddy look pretty good.
 
I got a ticket in PA once for backing into a spot. Not driving related came back to my truck and had the ticket under the wiper. Not backing into a spot, not just a bad idea. It's the law. No idea what the justification is, Vanity? Enforcing the lowest common parking ability? Safety?:rolleyes::mad2::sad:
 
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Phoenix said:
I got a ticket in PA once for backing into a spot. Not driving related came back to my truck and had the ticket under the wiper. Not backing into a spot, not just a bad idea. It's the law. No idea what the justification is, Vanity? Enforcing the lowest common parking ability? Safety?:rolleyes::mad2::sad:
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Depends on whether the parking enforcement gang is looking for registration and / or permit stickers from the sidewalk side or the street side. Wouldn't want to have to walk around the vehicle to check now, eh?
 
We were taught this in driving safety classes at work.

It's safer to back in a space that you have just witnessed is clear than backing out of a space that may have traffic or pedestrians later. Not to mention if there's a fire or other calamity, you want out of there.

Backing accidents were the #1 pain in the companies ass with a fleet of trucks.
 
When we get our emergency vehicle operation training (law enforcement), they hammer into our heads that an overwhelming number of patrol car collisions are slow speed backing incidents. Although we might obviously have to leave in a hurry (thus backing into the spot at our leisure is better than backing out after getting a call), it transfers to personal cars too. When you are going to a store you are focused on parking. When you leave you are thinking about the next five things you have to get done, and/or the kids are yelling, etc. Add to that the fact that murphy's law dictates that a giant SUV or truck will park next to you, blocking your view and people drive Mach 3 through parking lots and backing out gets sketchy.

I do agree that it's a pain when you are stopped and waiting for the guy doing his best Austin Powers impression to back in though.
 
Phoenix said:
I got a ticket in PA once for backing into a spot. Not driving related came back to my truck and had the ticket under the wiper. Not backing into a spot, not just a bad idea. It's the law. No idea what the justification is, Vanity? Enforcing the lowest common parking ability? Safety?:rolleyes::mad2::sad:
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And stuff like that just ****es me off. Despite trying hard my entire career to not be the type of law enforcement that the media loves to hammer on, we have agencies and/or officers who insist on pointless enforcement action like this.
 
I seldom back in, but did it very early this morning (when things were dead), in anticipation of heavy game day traffic at the time I'd be leaving.

Was easy to get out, but then had to wait for a guy blocking both directions of the ramp trying to back his truck in... :roll eyes:

I generally opt for the pull-thru, when available.
 
Depends, how/what I'm loading, how the driveway approaches the street etc.

I'd guess I'm 50/50. I don't understand how an adult can't manage to back their own vehicle into a parking spot, think I had that down when I was like 15 1/2.
 
I look for pull throughs so I can avoid backing out. The older you get, the less your neck can swivel so it is safer to drive forward than backward.
 
I drive a full size truck and back in more that I pull in.

Several reasons:

1) Exit strategy. I will back into a space somewhere that I am ensured that I have enough space to pull out and not get blocked in by some jackwaggon that parks too close to me. I am big and not that maneuverable compared to a small car.

2) On the theme of maneuverability, I can back my truck into a space easier than I can pull in on a tighter turn or narrow lane.

3) Most importantly...SAFETY. I have a lot of metal around me and a greater reduced visibility than a Honda. When backing up, I would not have any chance of seeing that toddler that broke away from mom and is bolting through the parking lot. Pulling out forward, I have much better visibility. I can also see approaching traffic much sooner rather than backing out blindly and hoping for the best...again, exit strategy.

I have a commercial CDL and have taken a driving certification course to get a license to drive City owned vehicles. Backing up is one of the most common accidents with large vehicles. EVERYTHING we are taught is to back in or pull through a space where you can pull out forward for safety.

I hear this quite often from small 4 wheelers that never drive large vehicles...It has noting to do with being a macho Delta Bravo, but rather a safe driver.

Now, if the yahoo can't back in a vehicle...then they should not be driving it!
 
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ElPaso Pilot said:
I guess you don't drive an oversize truck.

This guy's attempts aside, the physics of perpendicular parking a long wheelbase greatly favor backing in. Unless one prefers diagonal parking in a perpendicular spot.
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+1. When I drive either of my full size vans and when I had a full size pick up truck, I always prefer backing in. The guy you referenced just needs practice. The only challenge is the other cars giving you time to do it. Often there is some guy right up on your bumper and you can't do it because they block you, or they will try to zip around you so you need to look out. No that I have a back up camera on one of my vans, it makes it even better because you can really tuck it in with confidence.

When I drive my cars, I never back in.
 
Not allowed to back in ,at the condo complex, loves stupid rules.
 
ElPaso Pilot said:
I guess you don't drive an oversize truck.

This guy's attempts aside, the physics of perpendicular parking a long wheelbase greatly favor backing in. Unless one prefers diagonal parking in a perpendicular spot.
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This.
 
I don't back in usually but if there's an open space opposite of where I'm pulling in, I'll pull through to the next space so I'm facing out when I'm ready to leave.
 
Around here (SC) it's an ethnic thing:
- white folk pull in forward,
- black folk back in.

Really! Dunno why. Keep meaning to ask some of my black friends why.
 
Almost always back in. Won't do it if someone has to wait for me to do it.
 
ElPaso Pilot said:
I guess you don't drive an oversize truck.

This guy's attempts aside, the physics of perpendicular parking a long wheelbase greatly favor backing in. Unless one prefers diagonal parking in a perpendicular spot.
Click to expand...

That was the first thing that came to mind when I read the story. It is amazing how many people are clueless to the amount of real estate a crew cab long bed truck will take to turn. People will block you in without even realizing what they've done.

cowman said:
I don't back in usually but if there's an open space opposite of where I'm pulling in, I'll pull through to the next space so I'm facing out when I'm ready to leave.
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That's typically what I do when I drive my truck. I look for the "drive through" spots so I don't have to back up. Easier and safer in my book.

The parking lot where I work is absolutely terrible for oversized trucks, and ironically, probably half the people working there drive trucks (it is an agricultural based community and business). There are no drive through spots there so I typically find an end spot and back in it so I can just drive out.
 
I only back in at places like movies or sporting events where every one will be leaving at the same time and backing out is practically impossible. Back when I was younger, I used to back in all the time because it seemed studlier and macho. Now, girls do it so it isn't so manly any more.
 
I back in when parking at home. Out in public, it just depends.
 
I always park backwards. The way I see it is I'd rather back my car in between two parked cars than to back it out into potential moving traffic.
 
I don't get it, you still have to spend 1/2 your time going backward either way.
 
JustinD said:
I always park backwards. The way I see it is I'd rather back my car in between two parked cars than to back it out into potential moving traffic.
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Right.

Our city is trying to encourage backing into parking spaces. They have even started re-drawing the angled parking spaces to encourage it. The theory is that it is safer to back into a parking space where nothing will be coming at you from the rear than it is to back out into the street and get hit by oncoming traffic you did not see.

I haven't successfully changed my habit of parking nose first.
 
Phoenix said:
I got a ticket in PA once for backing into a spot. Not driving related came back to my truck and had the ticket under the wiper. Not backing into a spot, not just a bad idea. It's the law. No idea what the justification is, Vanity? Enforcing the lowest common parking ability? Safety?:rolleyes::mad2::sad:
Click to expand...

Yup, I got a ticket for pulling through with my car at a train station in IL. I figured that the last thing I wanted to be doing with the masses of people going to their cars and departing at the same time was to back out of a pace into that melee. But they wouldn't waive the ticket even after I contested it. Never did understand the reasoning behind that ordinance!
 
I don't get it, you still have to spend 1/2 your time going backward either way.
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previously described; if you back in, you know the way is clear for that event. If you back out, time has passed after you get in the vehicle, seat belt/bags/adjusting junk etc before you commence backing out....so greater chance to run something over.

Also I do it on some vehicles/situations in order to have better access to the battery for a boost (very cold nights or the tug vehicle)
 
I pull through one spot into the next so I can drive forward out of the spot. Usually puts me out a little further in the parking lot away from the CRAZIES to. Does not matter which vehicle, pickup truck or motorcycle. Although on the motorcycle, backing out is a little more dangerous and vulnerable to the CRAZIES.

Did I mention the CRAZIES???? Oh yea, I did.

David
 
ElPaso Pilot said:
I guess you don't drive an oversize truck.

This guy's attempts aside, the physics of perpendicular parking a long wheelbase greatly favor backing in. Unless one prefers diagonal parking in a perpendicular spot.
Click to expand...

Yep. Exactly. I normally park nose in but iif it's tight, or I'm driving a long truck, we're backing in.
 
I got the standard cab / short wheel base and backup camera. Easy to park and I usually back in.

The photo is after my girlfriend parked it.

12119905_963689433669922_6865357243033893441_o.jpg
 
N801BH said:
I position my vehicle for minimum sun exposure to prevent heating through the windshield during the summer.....

In the winter... It is the exact opposite... Solar energy is a wonderful thing when it is -30f outside...:yes:
Click to expand...


Bingo. I do the same thing.

And to answer the OPs question, I sense more and more people are backing in to spots now with the popularity of rear-view cameras.
 
nddons said:
Bingo. I do the same thing.

And to answer the OPs question, I sense more and more people are backing in to spots now with the popularity of rear-view cameras.
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I agree...

And for the ones who get/got ticketed for backing in.. My guess is those states are the ones with rear tags only and the cops can't see if the tag is expired simply by driving by... IMHO..
 
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