Why do people back into parking spaces?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't want to wait for me to back in (and it only takes me 1 try), then you're definitely not going to wait for me to back out. The difference is that I can see when I pull out of the space and can avoid you.

Lol!

[Anonymous]

A lot more backing-in now that there are Back-up Cameras. Easier to be a better parker. Especially older people, their vision prevents them from easily being a good parker.

[Anonymous]

Growing up, we lived on a hill with a steep, single-wide driveway and I had an older car that could be finicky on cold startups in the mornings. So I would back in with a warm engine. Plus, if I got rolling down the hill the next day and stalled out, I could usually pop the clutch and keeping on goin’!

But I do find backing in a space safer on exit where I have a better view of the ever changing aisle traffic. When stuck driving a larger vehicle (van or work truck) I’ll look for a pull-through spot. That mostly means parking in the back and walking a few extra steps but it’s worth it.

Definitely 1st World problems.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes it's definitely easier to back in. When you enter a gated parking lot and the open space is the first on the right you might not have enough room to easily go in front first. In those cases I back in. Otherwise I almost always go in front first.

[Anonymous]

It's kind of amusing to be at Costco watching someone who backed in try to figure out how they are going to get their purchases into the back of the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's kind of amusing to be at Costco watching someone who backed in try to figure out how they are going to get their purchases into the back of the car.

Only a lazy person thinks it’s hard to carry the purchases 10’ feet to the trunk or backseat.

[Anonymous]

To put their sweet ride on full display.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly because of this:


The fact is that backing into a parking space so that you can pull forward when leaving is actually safer and can help reduce your risks of injuries to yourself and others. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recommends all drivers back into parking spaces whenever possible.

+1

Also: If you happen to end up with a dead battery it's much easier to use jumper cables with another car if your car is facing out. Especially if cars are parked on each side of yours. A friend, whose dad taught her as a teen always to pull through or back in so her car was facing out, told me about this idea.

And as for safety: I started backing in when my DC was in preschool and I would always back in (or pull through) at the school. I was amazed at how many parents, picking up kids from preschool, would walk up to the doors with their infant, get their preschooler, and walk back to their cars while letting preschooler trail along behind them -- no holding hands, parent not paying attention to preschooler walking behind them. I realized I could not see these preschoolers from my driver's seat in the car if I were backing--they were too short. (This was pre-dash-cams in every car). It would be very easy to back over a kid in that situation. At least when facing out, I could see the clueless parents and their trailing kids coming.

[Anonymous]

I had a colleague tell me that if your battery dies (in a parking garage), it can be hard to get a jump start if you're pulled in head first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly because of this:


The fact is that backing into a parking space so that you can pull forward when leaving is actually safer and can help reduce your risks of injuries to yourself and others. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recommends all drivers back into parking spaces whenever possible.

Yup, this. I’m have good spatial awareness and it doesn’t add much time for me to back in. Regardless, I don’t mind wait a few minutes for someone to back in if it reduces injuries.

It doesn’t take a few minutes to back in.

It’s like an extra 5 seconds to park and saves time when you’re pulling out.

People who can’t wait 5 seconds for me to park can kiss my a$$.

It does take some people a few minutes - but you’re right that it saves time when leaving. The added time, if any, is so minimal and it’s so much safer. (I also couldn’t care less if people get annoyed, as per my response to another PP)

It isn't safer: you are still backing up, just at a different time in your outing.

But you’re backing in with full view of cars and pedestrians. Your view is limited if you are backing out.

Try it sometime. Maybe practice somewhere that isn’t crowded so you can figure it out. If you practice it you’ll be able to figure it out. It’s not that hard.

Exactly this. Especially since my primary car for errands is teeny and it's hard to see around other cars if I back out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To put their sweet ride on full display.

Pretty much.

[Anonymous]

I prefer backing into spaces, it takes me one try because I do it all the time. It's a far safer way to park in parking lots and garages due to all the selfish AF a$$holes who fly through parking lots with reckless abandon. So really blame them, not me/us. The safety I feel when pulling out vs backing out when I'm leaving is worth the eye rolls.

[Anonymous]

This is the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the way.

PP has spoken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't find it that much safer to back in, at all. I've seen people pull out of spaces when backed in way too fast and almost hit people. People back out carefully and have many have backup cameras that have sensors.

I feel the same way but apparently AAA seems otherwise 🤷🏽‍♀️