Topic: Parking spots - drive in or back in? Am I out to lunch?

[Brig]

I'd agree with it being a judgement call, but my preference is to back in.  At home, I have underground parking.  Big pillars everywhere, including one right next to my spot.  I always back in, so that I have a clear view when pulling out in the morning.

In a public parking lot, if two spots are aligned, I will pull through.  I never have enough groceries or other stuff to need my trunk, anyway.  If no two spots are aligned, I will go in nose first, especially if there are a billion people and carts floating around.

[The Mighty Duck]

Unless kids are cutting in between parked cars, or existing a parked car, or leaving the spot next to you all of a sudden. The risks are there in both situations and I have experienced them.

I've been hit once, and nearly hit at least once more, by idiots reversing out of parking stalls.  When you back in, you drive by the stall, assess the risk, and back in.  All of those risks you mention are things an observant driver would note before even shifting into reverse.

Not to mention they are far less numerous than the risks when backing out of a stall, hence why your claim that backing in or out are equally risky is flawed.  Backing in may not be perfect, but it is very much preferable to nosing in in most situations.

[tpl]

At our local supermarket, we use green boxes to shop and they have to go in the trunk.  Also we have "our " parking spot miles from anyone else  even in the rain and snow where we can nose in and usually drive out forward as well.  We did NOT pick Guelph as a place to live based on this.

[gottarondo]

I've meant to ask about this too.  Backing in seems infinitely preferable to me, and I do it whenever I can.  Access to the hatch being restricted is a downside; in some parking lots I've had to stand in the shrubbery to open the hatch if I fail to consider my loading needs in advance. 

At my cousin's townhouse development, the visitors' spots are between units and have a sign posted "no backing in" and I can't figure out why - unless exhaust fumes go in someone's window?  Bugs me every time. 

The need to back out is only thing I don't like about angle parking, but if memory serves me there is a stretch of road in New Westminster with back-in angle parking - too cool!

[mar1990]

I tend to pull through first, with the second choice being backing in.
Its hard to see past the vans / suvs on either side.
It also make it easier to pull out when leaving when the main road is busy.

[dr_spock]

It depends.  At home I drive into my garage so that my exhaust is pointed to the open air.   At school I back in as it is easier to pull out without running over a little kid or two as they can be obscured behind the trunk.  Certain spots at work are no back-ins since the building air intake is nearby.  Big shopping trip is always drive in to ease loading of the goodies into the trunk. 

I had to back into an angled parking spot to pass my Quebec driving test.  It's not easy being an angle-phone. 



 

[Trainman]

When I was first starting out in forestry, one of the first things we were taught was to have your vehicle pointed in the direction you would need to go in the event of an emergency (injury, fire).  Trying to turn around on narrow logging roads while in a panic is not a good idea.  So I have always backed into spots when practical.

I also back into the hill side when turning around on those logging roads, not putting the back end over the bank.  Usually the bumper will hit the bank before the wheels go in the ditch.

[initial_D]

When I was first starting out in forestry, one of the first things we were taught was to have your vehicle pointed in the direction you would need to go in the event of an emergency (injury, fire).  Trying to turn around on narrow logging roads while in a panic is not a good idea.  So I have always backed into spots when practical.

I also back into the hill side when turning around on those logging roads, not putting the back end over the bank.  Usually the bumper will hit the bank before the wheels go in the ditch.

Over 90% of the job sites that I have been to, O&G related, required all vehicles to backin to park and drive out. Some sites even required keys be in ignition and doors unlocked.

[safristi]

..are there BLUE expectant Father spots reserved near tha Pubs & XXX Klubs...... ...our neigbours across the road back in...then auto start their cars and leave them running headlites glaring in our kitchen for 10 to 15 mins Summer & Winter....gonna BUY me an OLDE LIGHTHOUSE  and BEAM them up Scotty....

[initial_D]

Send Junior over for Termination of the lights! 

[vdk]

Home - Back in
Work - Drive in
Mall - Pull through


A bit of everything..

[gosteelerz]

I know I much prefer to park beside somene who has backed in.  I always worry about people cranking their steering wheel too soon when backing out, rubbing the car beside them.

[DOGWOOD747]

I will always look for a space where I can drive right through, even if it sends me to the far-distant edges of the parking lot. If none is available, then I back in.

I'll drive even farther to park across from a vehicle that's also facing outward, hence less likely to back into me when he departs. 

Passengers not engaged in personal fitness programs are frequently unappreciative.  D.