Parking, am I weird?

[DodgyGeezer]

over the last few years, I've noticed that whilst I can easily reverse into just about any space or next to a wall/ditch/immovable object, I find the reversing out far less comfortable - am I alone in this? Am I weird (at least as pertains to this issue, on other issues I'll happily accept weirdness!)

[Baldchap]

Your car is most efficient when warm and you can see more driving out forwards when you leave.

People who don't back into spaces are weird.

Reverseoutaphobia is also weird.

[Strangely Brown]

DodgyGeezer said:

over the last few years, I've noticed that whilst I can easily reverse into just about any space or next to a wall/ditch/immovable object, I find the reversing out far less comfortable - am I alone in this? Am I weird (at least as pertains to this issue, on other issues I'll happily accept weirdness!)

Not weird, that is precisely why reversing in is preferred as it is safer. Unless there is a specific necessity or reason for forward parking (nosey parker) then I always reverse park.

[Riley Blue]

Strangely Brown said:

DodgyGeezer said:

over the last few years, I've noticed that whilst I can easily reverse into just about any space or next to a wall/ditch/immovable object, I find the reversing out far less comfortable - am I alone in this? Am I weird (at least as pertains to this issue, on other issues I'll happily accept weirdness!)

Not weird, that is precisely why reversing in is preferred as it is safer. Unless there is a specific necessity or reason for forward parking (nosey parker) then I always reverse park.

If everyone reversed into supermarket spaces wouldn't there be a far greater risk of cars being scraped by trolleys?

[Strangely Brown]

Riley Blue said:

Strangely Brown said:

DodgyGeezer said:

over the last few years, I've noticed that whilst I can easily reverse into just about any space or next to a wall/ditch/immovable object, I find the reversing out far less comfortable - am I alone in this? Am I weird (at least as pertains to this issue, on other issues I'll happily accept weirdness!)

Not weird, that is precisely why reversing in is preferred as it is safer. Unless there is a specific necessity or reason for forward parking (nosey parker) then I always reverse park.

If everyone reversed into supermarket spaces wouldn't there be a far greater risk of cars being scraped by trolleys?

Did you read my post before you replied to it?

Edit: added bold

Edited by Strangely Brown on Wednesday 31st December 16:54

[Alex_225]

I much prefer reversing in and pulling out of spaces forward. It's not the end of the world if I've driven in nose first but reversing out, trying to see round parked vehicles either side etc. Far more of a faff.

[bobtail4x4]

I was warned by the police in the states, they dont like reverse parking as they cant see the plate on the back of the car,
he sortof understood as he said its mainly UK drivers he catches,

I always reverse in when reqd,

[raspy]

Alex_225 said:

I much prefer reversing in and pulling out of spaces forward. It's not the end of the world if I've driven in nose first but reversing out, trying to see round parked vehicles either side etc. Far more of a faff.

Rear traffic cross traffic alert makes reversing out way safer, and the sensors can often spot hazards either side, that you haven't even seen yet!

[Alex_225]

raspy said:

Rear traffic cross traffic alert makes reversing out way safer, and the sensors can often spot hazards either side, that you haven't even seen yet!

Not in my car it doesn't! haha

[Ardennes92]

Baldchap said:

Your car is most efficient when warm and you can see more driving out forwards when you leave.

People who don't back into spaces are weird.

Reverseoutaphobia is also weird.

I started driving when reverse gear was the lowest, so reverse in when engine warm and out when engine cold so less mechanical stress on moving parts. Never been blocked in either as can manoeuvre easier when leaving a tight space going forwards as the rear doesn’t have to work too hard, only follow.

[WhiskyDisco]

I usually reverse park. Once, while on holiday in France I forward parked. As I was reversing out someone in a 25 year old beat-up French car drove behind be and we had a bump. He stepped out, roll-up hanging from his lips - with a shrug he said "no problem for me, but perhaps a problem for you?"

Typical!

[SimonTheSailor]

Riley Blue said:

If everyone reversed into supermarket spaces wouldn't there be a far greater risk of cars being scraped by trolleys?

Why ?

[sinbaddio]

It’s why a fork lift has rear wheel steer for greater manoeuvrability

[irc]

SimonTheSailor said:

Riley Blue said:

If everyone reversed into supermarket spaces wouldn't there be a far greater risk of cars being scraped by trolleys?

Why ?

Because morons would squeeze trolleys between cars to get to the back. Many supermarkets have no gap between adjacent rows of cars.

[MitchT]

Much easier to reverse in. Whenever I've tried to go in forward I always end up at an angle or too close to the car on one side. Reversing out is a nightmare in a busy car park as you have to go a long way before you can start turning or your nose will swing into the car next to you, and then by the time you can start turning your rear end is almost against the next row of cars. Total pain.

On the supermarket trolley access issue, I just park as far away as possible from the building as everyone else is too lazy to bother so there's never anyone behind to prevent access.

[texaxile]

Anecdote time:

Our Car Park has "Reverse parking only" signs. Everyone complies because it's not a busy car park and at 2 spaces per car, hardly a massive request of basic capabilities.

Until.
someone sends an email. "Who are the spaces "reserve" for"?.

"No reserved spaces".

"Signs say Reserve parking only".

"I give up".

[bcr5784]

Baldchap said:

People who don't back into spaces are weird.

.

While there is no doubt that you can get into a tighter space and have more control going backwards , it's not always a good idea. If you have a low car like mine you have to come OUT of the space virtually blind since you can't see past the tanks that you are parked next to. Come out backwards and you at least have the reversing camera to help you - and if your seat far nearer the rear of the car than the front, you will actually have some visibility early on.

[NDA]

There's a car park I used to use where there's a sign requesting front in parking - the exhaust sound was disturbing residents.

[Truckosaurus]

bobtail4x4 said:

I was warned by the police in the states, they dont like reverse parking as they cant see the plate on the back of the car,
he sort of understood as he said its mainly UK drivers he catches...

Indeed. Although many car parks over there have the spaces at an angle so much easier to see down the aisle as you reverse out.

[vikingaero]

Strangely Brown said:

Riley Blue said:

Strangely Brown said:

DodgyGeezer said:

over the last few years, I've noticed that whilst I can easily reverse into just about any space or next to a wall/ditch/immovable object, I find the reversing out far less comfortable - am I alone in this? Am I weird (at least as pertains to this issue, on other issues I'll happily accept weirdness!)

Not weird, that is precisely why reversing in is preferred as it is safer. Unless there is a specific necessity or reason for forward parking (nosey parker) then I always reverse park.

If everyone reversed into supermarket spaces wouldn't there be a far greater risk of cars being scraped by trolleys?

Did you read my post before you replied to it?

Edit: added bold

Edited by Strangely Brown on Wednesday 31st December 16:54

Unless I buy something big and boxy, I still reverse into spaces at supermarkets. Leave the trolley by the front of the car, pick up a few bags and walk between the cars to the boot - it's obviously rocket science for some people! And no I don't bump the bags on the cars or touch them as I walk past.

And SUVs and vans are a problem with sight if you reverse out, even with a reversing camera.