Walking behind a reversing car . . .

[Busa_Rush]

When I was a kid we were taught never to walk behnd a vehicle if it was reversing, just wait until it's finished and then carry on.

Why is it so many people these days seem to think it's OK to walk right behind you when you'reversing ? Had a couple of berks in suits do it last week, one of them ended up cleaning my bumper with his trousers and I've lost count of the number of hooded kids who have done it. It also seems prevelant in supermarket car parks with parents even walking theirn kids behind reversing cars.

What would yo do ? Carry on reversing or stop for them ? I always seem to carry on moving

[Rotary Madness]

Personally id reverse enough to knock em over, get out, yell at them for being useless tts, then get back in to continue reversing, by which time theyve either moved or im going over em

[skip_1]

People do it and get hit when I reverse the van, so they hit the roof/window but get shirty when asked if they think I have x-ray vision

[Red Kite]

Because when we were kids the claims business hadn't started. If we got hit by a reversing car it would hurt us. End of.
Nowadays everyone knows their rights, and that a reversing driver hasn't a leg to stand on if he happens to hit owt.



Edited to correct 'nowadays'. Spelt it with a B instead of an N first time, and it looked like I was typing with a bad cold.

Edited by Red Kite on Saturday 31st January 17:15

[whirligig]

I know - madness. Don't think a lot of people have powers of anticipation/observation never mind realising what reversing lights signify.

[turbobloke]

whirligig said:

I know - madness. Don't think a lot of people have powers of anticipation/observation never mind realising what reversing lights signify.

A duty of observation and collision avoidance rests with the driver, but equally those deliberately walking behind a reversing vehicle may realise that reversing lights signify a compensation claim opportunty.

[bigandclever]

I may be miles off the mark here, but I'm pretty sure *anything* behind you has priority when you're reversing. Even so, I was always taught to not walk behind a reversing vehicle - something to do with it being over a tonne of metal and you being squishy

[benoli]

Red Kite said:

Because when we were kids the claims business hadn't started. If we got hit by a reversing car it would hurt us. End of.
Bowadays everyone knows their rights, and that a reversing driver hasn't a leg to stand on if he happens to hit owt.

welcome to 'Compo Culture'
where there's blame, there's a claim

[colonel c]

Unless it's not practical. Reverse in, drive out.

[JackDaniels]

colonel c said:

Unless it's not practical. Reverse in, drive out.

I have always done this, and for some reason people have commented on it numerous times saying its much easier to park front first, but its way more of a pain to have to reverse out with your sideways view blocked by the cars either side of you as well as watching out for other people walking and other cars, plus keeping an eye on your front end as you swing out so you don't scrape it.
Way faster to get in car look left and right then go

Edited by JackDaniels on Saturday 31st January 17:21

[Puff Puff]

colonel c said:

Unless it's not practical. Reverse in, drive out.

How does that stop people walking behind you when you're reversing?

[Jasandjules]

Busa_Rush said:

When I was a kid we were taught never to walk behnd a vehicle if it was reversing, just wait until it's finished and then carry on.

Why is it so many people these days seem to think it's OK to walk right behind you when you'reversing ? Had a couple of berks in suits do it last week, one of them ended up cleaning my bumper with his trousers and I've lost count of the number of hooded kids who have done it. It also seems prevelant in supermarket car parks with parents even walking theirn kids behind reversing cars.

What would yo do ? Carry on reversing or stop for them ? I always seem to carry on moving

Funnily enough I was going to post about this today, once more I sat in a Supermarket car park and saw some of this. A lady actually dragged her child along with her behind a car, which was bad enough, then she decided that Darwin must be right, and promptly crossed the road in front of a car, and wondered why it emergency stopped.

I was always taught that cars are made of metal, which when connecting with my skin means I come off worst, and that a driver may not see you, therefore you STOP and let the car go.

[skip_1]

colonel c said:

Unless it's not practical. Reverse in, drive out.

I do agree with this but nobody does it!

When I had the 406 I always did, but with the van or in an estate you can't open the boot as people park right up your ass or walls are in the way.

[renmure]

bigandclever said:

I may be miles off the mark here, but I'm pretty sure *anything* behind you has priority when you're reversing. Even so, I was always taught to not walk behind a reversing vehicle - something to do with it being over a tonne of metal and you being squishy

That was my understanding as well. It's pretty bugging to be walking (or driving) along in a car park and find that some idiot is in the process of reversing 3/4 of the length of their car out of a space in order to be in a position to check through the side window whether or not it is actually safe to reverse in the first place.

Edited by renmure on Saturday 31st January 17:41

[wolf1]

It's not just people walking behind cars in car park it's the retards who will stop for nothing even though they can see you are reversing. Had it today where I was reversing out of a parking space and this retard in a focus c-max nearly took my tow hitch off. Now I could forgive him somewhat if I was not visible but a bright yellow van with bright reflective chevrons on the back, full beacons on, hazard lights, side lights and reversing lights backing out is not at all invisible .
Asked him if he got his license free with the big mac he was so desperate to get to, risking a crumpled car in the process. His 'Yeah but you wud ave been at fault mate' answer typifies the moron he appeared to be. His jaw did hit the floor when I said I couldn't really give a toss if I had hit his car as it's a company van so I won't be paying for a damn thing whilst he would have to deal with the inconvenience of a damaged car and a possible knock for knock result. Advised him he should try the fish mac as fish is supposed to be brain food and he's got a lot of catching up to do.

[colonel c]

Puff Puff said:

colonel c said:

Unless it's not practical. Reverse in, drive out.

How does that stop people walking behind you when you're reversing?

OK. Assuming a car park scenario then. You drive past your chosen space. You now have a clear view in-front and by using your mirrors and windows behind and beside you enabling a save reverse parking maneuver to be undertaken.

This in itself will not stop idiots from walking behind you but you will be able to see them. Giving you the option to either stop or simply knock them down. (a 4x4 is recommended for this otherwise they will scrap the underside of your vehicle. Believe me dried blood is a bugger to get off and the fleshy bits stink if they get stuck to the exhaust pipe)

[Puff Puff]

colonel c said:

Puff Puff said:

colonel c said:

Unless it's not practical. Reverse in, drive out.

How does that stop people walking behind you when you're reversing?

OK. Assuming a car park scenario then. You drive past your chosen space. You now have a clear view in-front and by using your mirrors and windows behind and beside you enabling a save reverse parking maneuver to be undertaken.

This in itself will not stop idiots from walking behind you but you will be able to see them. Giving you the option to either stop or simply knock them down. (a 4x4 is recommended for this otherwise they will scrap the underside of your vehicle. Believe me dried blood is a bugger to get off and the fleshy bits stink if they get stuck to the exhaust pipe)

It solves nothing then; you have to be equally observant whether reversing in or out.

[Daston]

Even worse spotted 2 hoody chav types walking across crossings (when the lights are green) making cars slam their breakes on! Then they had the cheek to give the drivers the figure! Where would you stand if you couldnt stop in time?

[Vipers]

JackDaniels said:

colonel c said:

Unless it's not practical. Reverse in, drive out.

I have always done this, and for some reason people have commented on it numerous times saying its much easier to park front first, but its way more of a pain to have to reverse out with your sideways view blocked by the cars either side of you as well as watching out for other people walking and other cars, plus keeping an eye on your front end as you swing out so you don't scrape it.
Way faster to get in car look left and right then go

Edited by JackDaniels on Saturday 31st January 17:21

the worst offenders are those who drive into their driveway at nights, and have a god awfull problem trying to back out into moving traffic in the morning, reverse in is easier.

Mind you, some people seem not to able to reverse very well, god knows, it aint rocket science is it?

But why oh why do you see cars revesing out in car parks with those little white lights on, and people still insist on walking behind them.

[Puff Puff]

There's the other parking scenario that I once observed outside PC World in Taunton.

Driver of Car A is reversing out and looking left and right for pedestrians walking behind.

Driver of Car B is reversing out and looking left and right for pedestrians walking behind.

Unfortunately neither of them was looking directly behind, you can guess what happened....