I once heard “to keep your tailgate from being stolen” but that seems like it’d be a rare case.
Not only makes it easier to leave when you need to, as you can see everything that you might hit or might hit you.
But going backwards means you can more easily line up in the space as you have more control over your angle.
Like parallel parking is essier when reversing as you dont need to correct once in the space. Just 45 degree to the kerb and straighten up and you are in. Going forward parallel parking takes loads of correction or needs a really big gap to fit in to.
There’s a reason a number of large companies that self-insure mandate backing in for all their vehicles (Schlumberger, Cargill); it’s demonstrably safer practice that results in less accidents when leaving the parking space. You can see everything when you back in that was there when you pulled up, and when you pull out, you’re right up front looking forward into the lane as you pull out. You quickly learn how to back in, even without a backup camera, if you learn how to use your mirrors.
It is by far the statistically less accident prone method.
This is why I do it.
You know how the surroundings are now and you don’t know how they are going to be when you have to drive out again. Makes sense to prepare for the unknown
You can fit in more easily. Having the steering axle in the back relative to the direction of movement allows you to drive tighter curves (like a forklift).
Because I drive a truck so backing in and pulling out is just easier
Is backing into parking spots not the norm in the US? Here in Germany we back into parking spots most of the time, mostly because the spots are too narrow or short to enter forward. We also learn this in driving school and it’s pretty much an essential skill that’s expected from drivers in Germany.
My mom does this every time she parks, even in our driveway. She’s always said it’s so if her car stalls, it’s easier to get it jumped or towed out of the spot.
I’m going to guess that I’m in the minority here and say that I daily a long bed Ford F-250. It’s big, it’s long, and it’s just generally unwieldy. Yes there are benefits to backing into a parking spot like better visibility and blah blah blah but for me it’s actually more about just being able to get in and out of the parking spot. Especially in narrow parking lot aisles. Backing into a spot takes less room, because, idk, geometry. Similar to why a forklift steers with its rear wheels and that makes it more maneuverable (albeit less stable).
Though there is also the benefit of the tailgate and bed of the vehicle being less accessible and therefore less likely for someone to just walk off with something, if there’s anything back there. My mom had the tailgate stolen off her Toyota once back in the 90s. I assume she pulled forward into the parking spot.
I back into my driveway. Way I see it, I either back in or back out. So what’s the difference
I think driving forward is easier, so on days that I’m feeling good I back in, that way in the morning I have a little something to be happy about.
Much easier to pull out after, and I can leave quicker despite taking slightly longer to pull in.
Exactly. I’m in no rush to park, but you never know when you might need to fuck the hell off in a hurry lol.
My backup camera has little lines that show where I am backing up and change as I turn. So that combined with the 360 camera I will know exactly how I will fit in a parking spot. Also makes getting out faster since im usually an early bird to places.
When parking i can get a good view of the immediate area, it’s easy to spot pedestrians and oncoming cars. Pulling out is easy. If I have to back out I don’t have such a good view. Yeah I get a look as I approach my car but by the time I sit down, click my seat belt, start the car, someone i didn’t see could be coming along.
Every excuse I have ever heard defending this, and reading them here, always just has this underlying “I’m a moron” sound to them. The logic is usually abject idiocy. Keep telling yourself it’s “better/easier/safer” whatever. You’re an idiot for doing it and a bigger idiot for trying to justify it.
I will continue thinking to myself how I wish you’d die in a car crash every time I’m sitting in a parking lot waiting forever for the moron inconveniencing everyone as they poorly attempt to back in and take fucking forever cause they can’t handle their fucking vehicle or surroundings.
Bonus points for you asshats with giant vehicles you have no business driving.
You uhhh… you doing ok there bud? Need a snack or something? Seems like you could use a break from the internet for a bit.
It takes advantage of right-of-way to avoid collision while backing.
I’m following you. When you decide to back in to your parking space, you have the right-of-way over the lane until you have completely left it. I have to yield to you, even if you come to a complete stop in the lane of traffic. While your vision and attention is compromised due to backing, I am responsible for avoiding you.
When you are attempting to back out of the parking spot and into my lane, you do not have right-of-way until you are fully established in the lane. Despite your vision and attention being compromised due to backing, you are also responsible for avoiding me. I don’t have to yield to you until you are completely within the lane.
I support this narrative.
Not because it is logical, BUT BECAUSE IT IS FUCKING RIGHT!
GET IT, CHARLOTTE?
I DON’T HAVE EYES ON MY CAR’S TAIL-LIGHT TO SEE YOU WERE COMING TOWARDS ME.
I don’t drive, but the way I’ve always heard it is because people care more about leaving quickly than arriving quickly.
Which always ignores how so often the total time spent is increased by their shitty driving cause they always take forever to back in cause they are no good at it despite their insistence on this idiocy.
All while inconveniencing everyone waiting for their sorry asses to figure it out.
As I drive away finally I ALWAYS see in my mirror how they had to pull and back in again to straighten out.
Fucking selfish morons.