Why do so many drivers go forward into spaces?
Discussion
Every day I see it. Drivers going forwards into parking spaces, having to do tight turns narrowly missing hitting the car in the next space, doing the manoeuvre 3-4 times to get in the actual space, and ending up parking at an incredibly slanted angle.
They then have to reverse out of that space later with an incredibly poor view of the families and cars passing them.
It always seems I am the only one in the lot that has reversed in to my space. Am I missing some amazing benefit of going forwards into spaces?
Obviously empty car parks are an exception, in which case the way you park makes no difference.
They then have to reverse out of that space later with an incredibly poor view of the families and cars passing them.
It always seems I am the only one in the lot that has reversed in to my space. Am I missing some amazing benefit of going forwards into spaces?
Obviously empty car parks are an exception, in which case the way you park makes no difference.
aceofspades1 said:
Every day I see it. Drivers going forwards into parking spaces, having to do tight turns narrowly missing hitting the car in the next space, doing the manoeuvre 3-4 times to get in the actual space, and ending up parking at an incredibly slanted angle.
They then have to reverse out of that space later with an incredibly poor view of the families and cars passing them.
It always seems I am the only one in the lot that has reversed in to my space. Am I missing some amazing benefit of going forwards into spaces?
Obviously empty car parks are an exception, in which case the way you park makes no difference.
In supermarket car parks it's a damn sight easier to access your boot to fill with shopping if you drive in forwards.They then have to reverse out of that space later with an incredibly poor view of the families and cars passing them.
It always seems I am the only one in the lot that has reversed in to my space. Am I missing some amazing benefit of going forwards into spaces?
Obviously empty car parks are an exception, in which case the way you park makes no difference.
I also strongly suspect that those who struggle to park in a forward direction would be equally hopeless at reversing into the space.
either way its a faff. either reverse park, and have an easy drive out, or park forwards, then have a reverse out. arguably reversing out into an open car park is easier than reversing into a tight space, but it is more hazardous. some people will take the easier option even though it has more risks.
obviously the best solution is find two empty spaces across a row, so you can drive in forwards, and drive out forwards too.
obviously the best solution is find two empty spaces across a row, so you can drive in forwards, and drive out forwards too.
brillomaster said:
either way its a faff. either reverse park, and have an easy drive out, or park forwards, then have a reverse out. arguably reversing out into an open car park is easier than reversing into a tight space, but it is more hazardous. some people will take the easier option even though it has more risks.
obviously the best solution is find two empty spaces across a row, so you can drive in forwards, and drive out forwards too.
Interestingly, and I think its a personal thing, but I find it easier to reverse into a tight space as you can see the proximity of the side of the car in relation to the objects in the way in the side Mirrors. obviously the best solution is find two empty spaces across a row, so you can drive in forwards, and drive out forwards too.
I do both, whatever takes my fancy/is relevant to the trip at the time!
If it's a tight car park, I'll always reverse into the space as I lack the skill to line it up neatly otherwise... I also always reverse park onto my drive from the street.
If it's a space off a busy road, or it's a huge car park where I have the luxury of a large radius to swing round in I might park head first. Also if it's a herringbone arrangement. Or if I need to get to the boot to load/unload something (usually the main reason). To be honest rear camera + rear corner radars do arguably a better job of warning you of cross traffic when backing out than trying to nose out with a long bonnet.
I'd say I'm 70/30 in favour of reverse parking, but I'm certainly not religious about it.
If it's a tight car park, I'll always reverse into the space as I lack the skill to line it up neatly otherwise... I also always reverse park onto my drive from the street.
If it's a space off a busy road, or it's a huge car park where I have the luxury of a large radius to swing round in I might park head first. Also if it's a herringbone arrangement. Or if I need to get to the boot to load/unload something (usually the main reason). To be honest rear camera + rear corner radars do arguably a better job of warning you of cross traffic when backing out than trying to nose out with a long bonnet.
I'd say I'm 70/30 in favour of reverse parking, but I'm certainly not religious about it.
Deranged Rover said:
In supermarket car parks it's a damn sight easier to access your boot to fill with shopping if you drive in forwards.
I also strongly suspect that those who struggle to park in a forward direction would be equally hopeless at reversing into the space.
Fair enough - didn’t think about accessing the boot I also strongly suspect that those who struggle to park in a forward direction would be equally hopeless at reversing into the space.
Jordan247 said:
brillomaster said:
either way its a faff. either reverse park, and have an easy drive out, or park forwards, then have a reverse out. arguably reversing out into an open car park is easier than reversing into a tight space, but it is more hazardous. some people will take the easier option even though it has more risks.
obviously the best solution is find two empty spaces across a row, so you can drive in forwards, and drive out forwards too.
Interestingly, and I think its a personal thing, but I find it easier to reverse into a tight space as you can see the proximity of the side of the car in relation to the objects in the way in the side Mirrors. obviously the best solution is find two empty spaces across a row, so you can drive in forwards, and drive out forwards too.
Quite happy to 'struggle' with my shopping as the lesser evil.
aceofspades1 said:
Every day I see it. Drivers going forwards into parking spaces, having to do tight turns narrowly missing hitting the car in the next space, doing the manoeuvre 3-4 times to get in the actual space, and ending up parking at an incredibly slanted angle.
They then have to reverse out of that space later with an incredibly poor view of the families and cars passing them.
It always seems I am the only one in the lot that has reversed in to my space. Am I missing some amazing benefit of going forwards into spaces?
Obviously empty car parks are an exception, in which case the way you park makes no difference.
In various places in the world it's not legal to reverse in; many of these places are like that because they don't mandate a front numberplate so the only way to make the plates visible is by making sure the back of the car is facing out.They then have to reverse out of that space later with an incredibly poor view of the families and cars passing them.
It always seems I am the only one in the lot that has reversed in to my space. Am I missing some amazing benefit of going forwards into spaces?
Obviously empty car parks are an exception, in which case the way you park makes no difference.
Other than places that require access to the boot (shopping or whatever) I suspect it's just lack of thought in the UK.
I read somewhere that it's better for economy and engine/ drivetrain wear to do slow speed manoeuvring with a warm engine/ gearbox, particularly if you're in reverse, so I reverse onto the drive, and into multistorey parking spaces. However, I suspect the effect is trivial, so I drive in forwards in shopping car parks for easier boot access.
CraigyMc said:
In various places in the world it's not legal to reverse in; many of these places are like that because they don't mandate a front numberplate so the only way to make the plates visible is by making sure the back of the car is facing out.
Other than places that require access to the boot (shopping or whatever) I suspect it's just lack of thought in the UK.
Used to work in a place where if you reversed in you used to get a snotty email from HR asking you to turn your car around as the emissions from your exhaust when pulling it could leave stains on the buildings!Other than places that require access to the boot (shopping or whatever) I suspect it's just lack of thought in the UK.
It depends on the circumstances - as stated above access to the rear for shopping when in a supermarket makes sense as there's no room to push the trolley between cars and very little space to walk with multiple bags.
Both options are manoeuvres on a current driving test, along with parallel park and reverse-right. Learners now only have to do 1 from 4 of those manoeuvres on their test!
Pieman68 said:
CraigyMc said:
In various places in the world it's not legal to reverse in; many of these places are like that because they don't mandate a front numberplate so the only way to make the plates visible is by making sure the back of the car is facing out.
Other than places that require access to the boot (shopping or whatever) I suspect it's just lack of thought in the UK.
Used to work in a place where if you reversed in you used to get a snotty email from HR asking you to turn your car around as the emissions from your exhaust when pulling it could leave stains on the buildings!Other than places that require access to the boot (shopping or whatever) I suspect it's just lack of thought in the UK.
It depends on the circumstances - as stated above access to the rear for shopping when in a supermarket makes sense as there's no room to push the trolley between cars and very little space to walk with multiple bags.
Both options are manoeuvres on a current driving test, along with parallel park and reverse-right. Learners now only have to do 1 from 4 of those manoeuvres on their test!
MikeM6 said:
I often wondered this, as well as why people park near the entrance to supermarkets. The conclusion that I came to was that most people probably also not do well in the marshmallow test.
In other words, they prioritise the present at the expense of the future.
I know you're talking about the test where you present (usually a small child) a marshmallow that they can eat now, or they can wait 5 minutes to get two marshmallows, and most kids cannot wait, so take one.In other words, they prioritise the present at the expense of the future.
It's a delayed gratification test.
But... https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/11/wo...
CraigyMc said:
MikeM6 said:
I often wondered this, as well as why people park near the entrance to supermarkets. The conclusion that I came to was that most people probably also not do well in the marshmallow test.
In other words, they prioritise the present at the expense of the future.
I know you're talking about the test where you present (usually a small child) a marshmallow that they can eat now, or they can wait 5 minutes to get two marshmallows, and most kids cannot wait, so take one.In other words, they prioritise the present at the expense of the future.
It's a delayed gratification test.
But... https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/11/wo...
FMOB said:
Exactly this, driving into the parking space extends the tat buying experience time and makes it easier to load all the tat into the car.
Well, I was thinking more along the lines of taking the (perceived) easy option of nosing in, rather than avoiding the much harder job of reversing out later. cuprabob said:
I always reverse into a space unless I need access to the boot.
Yeah this. Now add small kids.The sprog carriage generally lives in the boot and is nearly as wide as the gap between cars in the average carpark.
Add this to the tailgate needing space behind to allow egress of said sprog carriage and the most Mummobiles and Dadmobiles will be nosing into a parking space as a default cos apparently you're not allowed to leave the little gits at home and they can't walk far...
Some of the business I visit have signs up insisting on reverse parking. This is often in front of their building meaning the stuff I've taken in the boot is difficult to access.
I do prefer reverse parking under normal circumstances anyway.
However I've had a few instances where I've driven past a space ready to reverse only to nearly reverse in the car that is now right behind
I do prefer reverse parking under normal circumstances anyway.
However I've had a few instances where I've driven past a space ready to reverse only to nearly reverse in the car that is now right behind
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