Driving forwards into a parking space vs. backing in

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MaxE
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03 Jul 2016, 10:12 am

In the US (I rather suspect North America in general) there is a big dichotomy between those who drive head-first into parking spaces versus those who back in. I thought about this again after almost having an incident when driving into a parking spot and not noticing that another person was preparing to back into it (which usually involves considerably more maneuvering).

I did some Internet research and found articles strongly advocating both approaches. I have tried to determine what primarily motivates somebody to back into a spot and have come across a couple of theories. I saw an essay which said that those who back in are more inclined to prepare for the future, as they will have an easier time when leaving. In certain circumstances, this is truly justified, for example when parking in a garage for an event such as a concert or basketball game. In this case, if you do not back in, then you will have a hard time leaving when everybody leaves at once.

In fact, one theory for the popularity of this style of parking is that it began with factory workers who typically all vacate the parking lot at the same time, after the whistle blows. Which contributes to the general perception that this is a blue-collar thing. Reinforcing that perception is that in the US, blue-collar men typically drive large SUVs or pickup trucks, even just as a way to get to and from work. It is much harder to see out the back of one of these than out the back of my compact car, so there is more incentive to avoid having to back out of a space in a crowded parking lot.

Those who drive, what is your preference?


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BirdInFlight
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03 Jul 2016, 10:20 am

I no longer drive currently but I always drove forward into a parking space, usually because I was shopping and would need to easily access my trunk when I walk back out with bought goods to load into the car. When shopping it doesn't make sense to back in when you'll be wheeling your shopping cart up to ....the front of your car.



blue_bean
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03 Jul 2016, 10:30 am

In the car park at work I reverse in simply because everyone else does and I'd be the odd car out if I went in forward with nose to wall. It's pretty easy to do once you get the hang of it but it does take about 30 seconds longer than driving in. The car park is relatively quiet anyway and I usually get there a few minutes later than everyone else. I'd never do it in a shopping centre car park or anywhere busy because I know people are impatient and would get annoyed at me taking too long to carefully reverse into a spot and straighten up.



SocOfAutism
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03 Jul 2016, 10:32 am

Fascinating. People who back in have always irritated me. (Not you blue_bean)

MANY years ago I did work at a factory and you would indeed try to park in an advantageous way to avoid the long line out of the lot. Most of us also lived in a the small town that the factory was in, so there would also be a rush to the Dairy Queen and the Winn Dixie.

I had just figured that people who backed in spent too much time intellectualizing their driving.



traven
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03 Jul 2016, 10:39 am

backing in often with my car, because turning back makes most rearviewing impossible, as there's no windows in the behind of the vanImage



BirdInFlight
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03 Jul 2016, 10:47 am

I think this is a van-or-car difference because you can't see to the rear in a van the way you can in just a sedan or even a hatchback car.

Trouble is what happens when you have to load things in to a van too, and need the rear to be facing out?



Lantylam
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03 Jul 2016, 10:53 am

I park in either direction, going in forwards if I need access to the rear of the vehicle. Often there isn't much room to manoeuvre, so I reverse in if there is a clear opportunity to do so as it may be easier than having to reverse out of a spot if the car park is likely to become more busy later.



AspergersActor8693
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03 Jul 2016, 11:00 am

Most of the time I back in, if I'm in a rush or it is not possible for me to back in, I'll pull in. Those are some interesting ideas behind it, never really thought if it that way.



dcj123
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03 Jul 2016, 11:10 am

I am not really suppose to drive that much as I only have a learners permit (Or that is by myself) but I have recently, I am a horrible driver and I'd kill someone if I backed in so I just do it the easy way and pull forward. My driving is best described as slow and steady and some what a miracle. Now I have only drove cars and have never drove a van or a SUV so it might be different, however, backing out seems easier to me then backing in a car. Plus I am such a horrible driver that I normally try and park in a spot where I can pull forward in and pull forward out. I also have other terrible habits I do for the sake of not killing people like never pull across traffic and turning around instead of ever turning left. People are entertained by me, I don't do the the interstate and frankly I never ready do but one destination about 3-4 minutes away.

Destination is a block away - Car
Destination is across town - Bus

Seems backwards but if you seen me drive you'd get it.



VIDEODROME
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03 Jul 2016, 11:16 am

I tend to prefer backing in or I'll just park further back where I can pull in and through and be able to drive forward when leaving.

I have finicky parking habits because I used to be a truck driver.



BirdInFlight
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03 Jul 2016, 11:28 am

I too feel like backing out when leaving is easier than backing in when arriving.

It's also handy to be able to pull forward to leave, but you can't always do that when you're in those parking lots that have the concrete slabs to stop you. Also, it can be a bit dangerous to pull on forward through that other row of spots if cars are parked either side of the spot ahead, and you can't see people walking on that other "through aisle" you are heading for. They, or other drivers, will not be expecting a car to suddenly come out of that empty space. So, it's not always a safe thing to do.

Trouble is about backing in, you do have to know how to do it to pass your test, if I recall, and I assume that would go for all states. But after you pass your test you can never back in again if you don't want to.



Last edited by BirdInFlight on 03 Jul 2016, 11:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

Magi
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03 Jul 2016, 11:29 am

I drive a big truck and find backing in to be easier.



TheSilentOne
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03 Jul 2016, 2:48 pm

I always drive forwards. I'm not very good at backing in.


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