Backing in

Charlie Spencer

Charlie Spencer

Road courses and short tracks.
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Oct 17, 2012
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Here's one to chew on now that the off-season has started.

Within the last decade, people have started backing their personal vehicle into parking spaces more than they did the first 40 years I was driving. I've always found the street to be wider than my driveway, and parking lot lanes to be wider than parking spaces. IIt easier and faster for me when in reverse to aim for the wider target, so I almost always pull in. But I see so many more people trying to back in nowadays, especially in parking lots. A lot of them do a lousy job, either parking way over to one side of the space, or having to make multiple attempts to get the vehicle in.

Anyone regularly back in instead of pulling in with the front-end first? Do you do the same at home and in a parking lot? Have you always done that or have you switched within the last decade? What do you find to be the advantages?

Pointlessly yours.
 
I pull in, unless there's a weird angle that makes backing in easier or makes getting out easier.
 
I drive a full size 3/4 ton van with no windows except in back. I always try for a pull thru spot. If no pull thru's, I back in so I can pull out without backing. Much safer that way when you have reduced visibility. The back up camera can only do so much.
 
Full size SUV and I either pull through or back in every chance I get because it is easier to back in than it is to back out.

Don't need to at home because I don't have the same issues.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
That's the part I don’t get. How can aiming for a smaller target, often with vehicles on either side, be easier than aiming for the wide lane?
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Because you can see what it going on traffic/hazards wise when backing in. When backing out into a lane of traffic many times you can't see what the traffic is doing and you are having to depend on those people to yield. If they don't yield and there is a wreck, guess who is at fault?
 
I don't back in and always thought it would be a pain to pull out of an angled parking spot when backed in because you're facing the wrong way.

I find it funny how many people in my neighborhood back into their driveway as if they need a quick exit. There's no traffic on our street so that's not a problem.
 
I almost always prefer backing into a parking space and pulling out when exiting.

The same applies at home. I am usually more in a hurry when going somewhere than I am when I return home, and I like to have a straight shot out. I also just like the way my truck looks that way.

It didn't affect my point of view, but my previous employer implemented a rule requiring everyone to park in a way that ensured they didn't have to back out of a parking space when leaving work. One person backed into a pedestrian, and there were some close calls during the shift changes (before the policy and according to some safety representatives).

It seemed over the top to me but they were pretty gung-ho about the policy and conducted routine audits of the parking lot for compliance. They would put a warning on your car for noncompliance and even threatened to revoke parking lot privileges for repeat offenders.
 
Tony_K said:
I don't back in and always thought it would be a pain to pull out of an angled parking spot when backed in because you're facing the wrong way.

I find it funny how many people in my neighborhood back into their driveway as if they need a quick exit. There's no traffic on our street so that's not a problem.
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No sidewalks either? Only have to back over one kid on a bike to ruin your day.
 
Tony_K said:
I find it funny how many people in my neighborhood back into their driveway as if they need a quick exit. There's no traffic on our street so that's not a problem.
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Car guys like to back into their own driveways. Cars tend to look better from the front than the back.
 
KTMLew01 said:
No sidewalks either? Only have to back over one kid on a bike to ruin your day.
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Never thought of that scenario. But, kids don't play outside anymore. :D

I do recall we all used to back in the parking spaces at work but it was because it looked like the old style Le Mans start when we left.
 
I back in at home because it fits our situation better - GF and I are side by side in front of the garage in a corner and dad's work van goes around the circular driveway in front of us.

In public I prefer to back in, because I can see where the bumper (or trailer ball) lands right on the white line without hitting whatever is parked in the next forward spot. My front still hangs a foot or 2 into the pathway in some lots. I'd rather be right on the line and hang out, then guestimate where I am and hang out more.

GF's car has bad blind spots, so she prefers to back in/pull though so she can see as she's leaving. No backup cam and uses the side mirrors to approximate where she is side to side. Front to back is a complete guessing game.
 
Magnethead said:
Front to back is a complete guessing game.
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My favorite feature on my ride is the little cameras all around it. I can hit a button and it looks like I'm seeing an overhead video. Makes it real easy to stay in my lane back to front.
 
When I ran service plumbing (only do large construction now) one company required us to back into customers driveways (space available), another company wanted us to park on the street with the van/ company logo over our shoulder as front door was opened. I liked 2nd one better.
 
Yep, I back in nearly everywhere I go. Even at the races when I’m directed where to park with a line of vehicles behind me, I still back in. I didn’t always do it and I don’t know why I do now. I think having backup cameras has made it easier, so I just figure why not!
 
Brentford said:
Yep, I back in nearly everywhere I go. Even at the races when I’m directed where to park with a line of vehicles behind me, I still back in. I didn’t always do it and I don’t know why I do now. I think having backup cameras has made it easier, so I just figure why not!
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I still rely on the mirrors. Old school, I guess. I do check the cameras once I’m parked.
 
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