Why are people so fixated on reversing into bay parking?

[berlintaxi]

knotweed said:

A lot of the places I work (construction compounds) have a reverse-park policy, as they believe it's safer to drive out of a space than reverse out.

This is becoming more common, theory is you are relaxed when you arrive, hence easy to reverse into a space, but are tired and stressed when leaving work, hence it is safer to go straight out rather than reverse.

[LooneyTunes]

Synchromesh said:

I think I have a reason that hasn't been mentioned yet...

If the person next to you has parked nose in (as 95% of people do), and you reverse it, you have passenger side against passenger side. That means you don't have to leave enough space to open a door on that side, so you can leave more space on your driver door side.

I've even made a handy diagram to illustrate my point to the hard of thinking. Obviously I've exaggerated it a bit, I still always remain within the lines. This technique is especially useful if your car isn't the easiest to get in and out of - Elise and Ford GT owners take note!

That's going to work really well when the vehicle on the left of the picture leaves and is replaced by one that wants EVEN MORE space (or didn't see what you were trying to achieve) and reverses in... leaving the same gap between cars as you did with the one on the right hand side of the picture.

[MC Bodge]

The people who complain about having to park nose-out are the people who, for some reason, find it difficult.

Personally, I'd be embarrassed to admit that I found it difficult...

It makes sense for all the reasons given so far.

Safer when driving out.

Potentially quicker getaway

In a big, wide car it is usually easier to reverse into a typical tiny UK parking space.

In a small car it is easy to reverse.


ps. If you can't do it yet, practice.

Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 5th November 07:28

[Mastodon2]

I prefer to reverse in to make a quicker and safer getaway at the end of the day at work. Everyone is rushing to get home, why would I want to risk reversing out and having reduced visibility when I could drive out forwards with much better visibility and increase my chances of not having my car pranged by someone in a hurry and not paying attention?

[Johnnytheboy]

knotweed said:

A lot of the places I work (construction compounds) have a reverse-park policy, as they believe it's safer to drive out of a space than reverse out. I reverse in to spaces alot more often than I used to because I've just got used to doing it. It depends really on what I'm doing, what seems the best option at the time, or whether I need to get into the boot or not.

Quite a few of our more H&S-obsessed clients have started doing this, it's a PITA as most of out vans don't have side doors.

So - if it's a tight space - you have to get all your stuff out before parking, get the van out a bit if you have to get anything during the job, and again when loading before leaving.

I should add that I always reverse park in normal circumstances (because I'm male) but in this situation it's a bit annoying.

I suspect part of my annoyance is being told to - being a man this makes me want to do the opposite.

[jamieduff1981]

LooneyTunes said:

Synchromesh said:

I think I have a reason that hasn't been mentioned yet...

If the person next to you has parked nose in (as 95% of people do), and you reverse it, you have passenger side against passenger side. That means you don't have to leave enough space to open a door on that side, so you can leave more space on your driver door side.

I've even made a handy diagram to illustrate my point to the hard of thinking. Obviously I've exaggerated it a bit, I still always remain within the lines. This technique is especially useful if your car isn't the easiest to get in and out of - Elise and Ford GT owners take note!

That's going to work really well when the vehicle on the left of the picture leaves and is replaced by one that wants EVEN MORE space (or didn't see what you were trying to achieve) and reverses in... leaving the same gap between cars as you did with the one on the right hand side of the picture.

In addition, there's a good chance that the car you've wedged your passenger side up against came with passengers who may or may not try to squeeze themselves in without reversing the car out to load up. If there were children to go in this is pretty much non-optional. The PHers have taken all the P&C spaces as brats should have to walk and their Audi S-Line is more important, and neither a parent is going to want to ask toddlers to stand still in a carpark whilst the grownup moves the car out far enough to get the door open, whilst Mr or Mrs Average would have a fit if their escape from shoplifting was impeded by a car stopped in the lane between spaces to load passengers in.

All in all, a fairly wk idea. Everyone should just try to centre themselves in the spaces and we'll all get along fine.

[deltashad]

Visibility

[DonkeyApple]

berlintaxi said:

knotweed said:

A lot of the places I work (construction compounds) have a reverse-park policy, as they believe it's safer to drive out of a space than reverse out.

This is becoming more common, theory is you are relaxed when you arrive, hence easy to reverse into a space, but are tired and stressed when leaving work, hence it is safer to go straight out rather than reverse.

I think the theory is that a car that is reversing is more likely to hit aine idiot who walks past than one driving out forward. It will be a health and safety and a workplace insurance driven policy.

[With these feet]

340600 said:

Force of habit after 4 years in the police. Annoys the missus no end when she's been shopping and has to walk around to the back of the car.

You make her travel in the boot??


Online shopping. Let them decide which way to park..

Depends on what sort of space it is and what Im buying. Big family spaces I drive in forwards as you can swing out pretty much on full lock without worrying about the cars next to you. Not much point in reversing in if you then need to put 10 bags in through the side door...

[tangerine_sedge]

veevee said:

I have lots of awareness, and my choice is to drive in forwards. I find it easier to see what I'm doing into a small space; when I'm reversing out, it's into a large space so I don't need to be able to see quite as well.


The reason I was asking was because I've seen on several occasions this week, women of various ages taking 2-3 minutes to reverse park a Yaris-sized car into bays where there were two or more free adjacent bays, and they could have just driven in.

To be fair, I've seen people(*) take 2 or 3 attempts to drive forwards into spaces too. I truly believe that some people should just not be allowed to drive.

(*) by people, I of course mean old people.

[Ari]

It is easier to manoeuvre into a tight space backwards for precisely the reason that forklift trucks are rear wheel steer.

[berlintaxi]

DonkeyApple said:

berlintaxi said:

knotweed said:

A lot of the places I work (construction compounds) have a reverse-park policy, as they believe it's safer to drive out of a space than reverse out.

This is becoming more common, theory is you are relaxed when you arrive, hence easy to reverse into a space, but are tired and stressed when leaving work, hence it is safer to go straight out rather than reverse.

I think the theory is that a car that is reversing is more likely to hit aine idiot who walks past than one driving out forward. It will be a health and safety and a workplace insurance driven policy.

But is based on the theory that your concentration levels are lower when leaving work due to tiredness and stress, certainly is a health and safety driven policy,also meant to make the car park flow easier at the end of the working day as all cars are facing outwards.

Edited by berlintaxi on Tuesday 5th November 08:19

[0000]

In the majority of supermarket car parks I won't bother reversing in, there's so much room it makes no difference. In squashed corners of smaller car parks though it can be a pain to reverse out so I'll reverse in to make life a bit easier.

I find it a little bizarre that people can wear their ability to reverse in as a badge of religious honour. I always imagine them doing it somewhere like this:

[zebra]

veevee said:

AdeTuono said:

Errr...personal choice, maybe?

I didn't say people weren't allowed, or criticise their 'personal choice', I was just asking why.

The Vambo said:

I would be surprised if a driver with any awareness would have to ask.

I have lots of awareness, and my choice is to drive in forwards. I find it easier to see what I'm doing into a small space; when I'm reversing out, it's into a large space so I don't need to be able to see quite as well.


The reason I was asking was because I've seen on several occasions this week, women of various ages taking 2-3 minutes to reverse park a Yaris-sized car into bays where there were two or more free adjacent bays, and they could have just driven in.

No need to explain fella; we have established you are wrong and lack confidence when it comes to reversing into a parking space. I'd leave it there.

[jmorgan]

I always do because I can. Why not, it is easier and safer. The biggest issue I have is the herbets who will not give you time to park but what the heck, they cannot get past me so have to wait.... I can see them grumbling and muttering and watch their blood pressure rise whaile they think they are late for their costa and a bun.

[UrbanLegend]

It's much safer. There are no cars driving about in the parking bay but there is of course when you are trying to reverse out into the main car park roads.

So best to reverse into a space where you know it will not be occupied by a car trying to get past.

Visibility is much better when driving forward & therefore safer.

You should always reverse into your drive and pull out forwards. Especially important if you live on a main road.

[johnS2000]

The answer to this question is the same answer to other question's that come up from time to time .

Why do people cut the corner when turning right into a minor road .Why do people block junction's by not keeping to the centre line when emerging from a minor road when turning right .Why do people hog the middle lane . Why can't people signal properly at roundabout's etc.etc.

Basically , taking into consideration some point's already mentioned , such as loading the boot , good driver's reverse park ! Poor driver's drive in forward's .

[0000]

Yike's ,

[cianha]

In case a quick exit is required. Company policy when working for an oilfield services company, common sense ever since.

[Grimezy93]

I find it much easier to reverse than to drive into a space. Normally I can reverse in one manoeuvre no problem at all, normally when driving forwards into a space I end up a bit wonky so have to reverse out (with poor visibility) and straighten it up.

Really if you're competent at reversing that's what you should be doing, makes a lot more sense for both visibility and ease.

Only time I wouldn't reverse into a space is if there's a bay I can drive through to park in the bay behind it so I can drive out quickly