Why are people so fixated on reversing into bay parking?
Discussion
As people have said, it's easier. Because you steer with the front wheels, the rear end can describe a tighter arc than the front so you need less room to turn into a space. It also gives you better visibility when leaving the space and hence pulling into the flow of traffic.
The only reason for driving forwards into a parking bay is for access to the boot, as far as I can see.
The only reason for driving forwards into a parking bay is for access to the boot, as far as I can see.
Edited by kambites on Monday 4th November 21:22
My driveway is on a bend and an odd shape. Far easier to reverse in where the only hazard is the house wall. Then I have a clear view when exiting onto the road. When I sometimes have to go nose in due to awkwardly parked cars or traffic behind me I need my head on a swivel to get back out, watching road both ways and avoiding a dividing 3foot wall between me and my neighbour.
If parking in a car park I will favour reversing in if conditions allow. I generally go nose in when at the supermarket because its easier when putting shopping in the boot.
If parking in a car park I will favour reversing in if conditions allow. I generally go nose in when at the supermarket because its easier when putting shopping in the boot.
I must live in a different world. Round here the parking procedure is to drive into a space and stop.
Doesn't matter about the adjoining car spaces:
- If either or both are empty vacate car ignoring the fact that the car is at a massive diagonal.
- If both are occupied use procedure above but with a smaller diagonal. Knock door against neighbouring vehicle 'for not leaving you enough room'.
Doesn't matter about the adjoining car spaces:
- If either or both are empty vacate car ignoring the fact that the car is at a massive diagonal.
- If both are occupied use procedure above but with a smaller diagonal. Knock door against neighbouring vehicle 'for not leaving you enough room'.
When you arrive at a space and there is no traffic it is easier and safer to reverse in than attempt to reverse out when you leave and the car park is busy. If you arrive at a space and there is traffic behind you then most of the time they will be aware that you will manoeuvre into that space.
On some cars the reversing lights are pish poor (Ford Focus) and other drivers and pedestrians may not see them from certain angles.
The exception of course is at supermarkets where driving in is the norm if you need to load the boot.
On some cars the reversing lights are pish poor (Ford Focus) and other drivers and pedestrians may not see them from certain angles.
The exception of course is at supermarkets where driving in is the norm if you need to load the boot.
Goodness me we have a few right-'uns here... no problems with either way to be honest, but in the V70 choose to go nose-in 9/10 times. No problem swinging the gin palace in or reversing out. Parking sensors make it too easy reversing in! 
Still, if anyone's ever visited the Apollo Hotel in Antwerp, I defy anyone to park anything bigger than a Smart in Bay 5. Being the last and only space in their garage, I managed a 607 but had to use the missus as a banksman and tuck the mirrors in. Looking like a right twerp to boot trying to get myself out after.
ETA: dogs in the back also influence heavily my decision to park nose-in.
Still, if anyone's ever visited the Apollo Hotel in Antwerp, I defy anyone to park anything bigger than a Smart in Bay 5. Being the last and only space in their garage, I managed a 607 but had to use the missus as a banksman and tuck the mirrors in. Looking like a right twerp to boot trying to get myself out after.
ETA: dogs in the back also influence heavily my decision to park nose-in.
Evoluzione said:
It takes the same amount of maneuvering no matter which way you do it, but it's safer and uses less fuel to reverse in and drive out.
But if you drive in and reverse out, whats the difference in fuel used?At work, etc. I can understand but at the supermarket I do wonder why people do it. Unless they like trying to squeeze the trolley down the side of 2 cars to get to the boot and/or lug stuff from the trolley down the side of the car...
I only really park in those type of spaces when we have gone shopping. So returning with the trolley, getting pram out in the first place necessitates driving nose in. To declare this way of parking as selfish is a little extreme. 
At work I drive nose in as it is quicker and by the time I leave most people have left and I can drive nose out too
Mike
At work I drive nose in as it is quicker and by the time I leave most people have left and I can drive nose out too
Mike
Evoluzione said:
It takes the same amount of maneuvering no matter which way you do it, but it's safer and uses less fuel to reverse in and drive out.
I can't wait to hear the explanation for this, I bet it's a cracker!Whether reversing into or driving forwards into a parking space is more appropriate is entirely dependant on the situation. On some occasions it's more convenient to drive in forward, on others reverse is the obvious choice.
It's a security thing. By reversing in you are able to use your door as a shield when laying down covering fire in a hostile carpark situation.
On a serious note, women would be smart to park back towards a wall in a car park as the drivers door will offer protection in the event of someone following them back to the car at night. It's a barrier that buys time. However, very few people have concepts of personal security so this won't be a reason as to why people do it.
On a serious note, women would be smart to park back towards a wall in a car park as the drivers door will offer protection in the event of someone following them back to the car at night. It's a barrier that buys time. However, very few people have concepts of personal security so this won't be a reason as to why people do it.
Edited by DonkeyApple on Monday 4th November 21:59
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