Back in parking.

[ripvanwinkle]

Today I went to "the mall". I was following a car down the parking aisles looking for a spot. There was a vacant spot on the right. The car in front of me went passed the spot and stopped. I thought it was looking for a closer spot so I started to pull in nose first.

As I turned in, the other driver started backing up so I honked to warn him and then he started honking and looked very pissed off.

I then realized just what he was trying to do. Back in parking! I got out and he had some choice words for me and I just kept walking. Anyone have this happen? Seems stupid to park this way although I've read some articles lately on this practice.
 

[Apple]

If I can't pull through, I back in.  Rarely do I pull into a parking space, since backing in is safer than backing out.  Dad was a cop, so it's what I learned from the moment I started driving.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

A lot of drivers back-in to parking stalls here. It makes exiting the stall later easier (and safer). You can see any oncoming vehicles or other cars that might be backing out much better than if you're parked "nose-in".

Did you not see his back-up tail lights when he put the car in reverse to back into the stall?

[toomuchreality]

Ugh. Sorry this happened.

[taz157]

I back in to park about 99% of the time. It's MUCH easier to get out of the parking spot later.

[billisonboard]

I see the net result of backing in/heading out and heading in/backing out as equal. What am I missing?

[NoNamePerson]

I don't park if I can't pull thru. I never back into a parking spot.  It's easier for me to see when pulling out to leave space than backing up when beside a Humbee.      But I also park way down the aisle and get a little exercise walking and hoping I don't get hit by someone backing out and not looking in rear view mirror. If I see tail lights come on I just stop dead in my tracks whether walking or driving.  Guess I should say I have been hit in a parking lot before so this sorta makes me the way I am 

Parking lots here are more dangerous than the Autobahn.  

[moon/Laura]

Jan 3, 2016 8:21:21 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

I see the net result of backing in/heading out and heading in/backing out as equal. What am I missing?

When you back into (or pulling forward through) a parking spot, you know where everything is. You're not having to constantly crane your neck looking for that oncoming car/ pedestrian. With all the ginormous vehicles we have these days, that gets harder and harder. Yes, even pulling forward out of a space you're going to have to be cautious - but you're doing it around a much smaller area of space. The front end of a vehicle versus the ENTIRE vehicle when backing out.

I too, am one that prefers to drive forward out of a space, for all the same reasons already mentioned.

[billisonboard]

Jan 3, 2016 11:29:58 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

Jan 3, 2016 8:21:21 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

I see the net result of backing in/heading out and heading in/backing out as equal. What am I missing?

When you back into (or pulling forward through) a parking spot, you know where everything is. You're not having to constantly crane your neck looking for that oncoming car/ pedestrian. With all the ginormous vehicles we have these days, that gets harder and harder. Yes, even pulling forward out of a space you're going to have to be cautious - but you're doing it around a much smaller area of space. The front end of a vehicle versus the ENTIRE vehicle when backing out.

I too, am one that prefers to drive forward out of a space, for all the same reasons already mentioned.

I get pulling forward through. But the OP illustrates how you don't know where everything is when backing in.

[Apple]

Jan 3, 2016 8:21:21 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

I see the net result of backing in/heading out and heading in/backing out as equal. What am I missing?

Also, think about the amount of time that has passed since you can easily see the surroundings.  As you drive through the parking lot, you can see if there is anyone walking around (especially little kids, dogs, etc you would not be able to see over the back of your car).  So you drive in, scan the area, pull passed the area you just drove through by a few feet, and back in (hopefully without a car behind you trying to take the spot).

If you've pulled into the spot, the time from walking through the lot to your car, putting your stuff away, getting into the car, turning it on... that time all goes by from when you last got a good look at the area you're going to pull out of.  In that amount of time, the situation in the area you need to back into could have completely changed.  Maybe two cars down a family got out of their car and now a little kid is running into the store.  Or another car could be backing out from their spot.  There are just a lot more unknowns as the time increases.

[dannylion]

I always look for a pull-through space, even if it's farther away.  I back in to a space if I cannot find a pull-through spot but then only if there are no cars approaching in either direction. I hate to be made to wait while someone backs in, so I don't do it to anyone else. I only pull forward into a space if there are other cars in the aisle and/or there isn't enough room to maneuver gracefully enough to back in.  I love my SRX, but it's got a big turning radius (I think because of the AWD), so I need a lot of room to back into a space, and it's hard to see out the back (next time I'm springing for the back-up camera), so pulling forward out of a space is much safer. 

[wmpeon]

In a busy parking lot, it just doesn't make much sense to me to back into a space, because just like with the OP, the car behind/ahead/beside you will steal the spot.  When it comes to parking spots around here, we're like vultures, circling our prey. 

[gooddecisions]

I sympathize and feel like this argument is similar to which way to hang the toilet paper. I find it much easier and safer to back into a bigger area (pulling out of a space) and less time consuming then backing into a small space. But, I've never driven anything bigger than a sedan.

The OP describes a car backing into the parking area, not the space, so they are still having to back into where pediatrician and other drivers could be. Like Bill said, net result is the same and I will never understand the reverse argument.

The exact same thing happened to me once. When I got back to my car, "somebody" left a post-it note on my window that read "inconsiderate, look it up in the dictionary".   How was I to know the driver who went passed the parking space was planning on reversing and backing into it.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

The OP describes a car backing into the parking area, not the space, so they are still having to back into where pediatrician and other drivers could be. Like Bill said, net result is the same and I will never understand the reverse argument.

No, the OP described the other driver as being ahead of him, then stopping to go in reverse to enter the parking stall - the OP jumped into the stall ahead of him.

(And yes, you have to watch out for those darned Pediatricians - they might be darting between cars to rush & deliver a baby. )

[alabamagal]

I think you are much more likely to hit one of the cars next to you if you are backing into a parking space than when you are backing out. When you are backing in you have to make a turn going backwards to fit your car in the spot, if there are cars on either side. When you are backing out you can go straight and then turn into the much larger open area. There is more danger of people hitting you when coming down the aisle.

I'm not one to drive around trying to get the best parking spot. I used to chuckle at the people who park close when going to the gym to workout - maybe even to get on the treadmill.

[gooddecisions]

Jan 3, 2016 14:19:12 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

The OP describes a car backing into the parking area, not the space, so they are still having to back into where pediatrician and other drivers could be. Like Bill said, net result is the same and I will never understand the reverse argument.

No, the OP described the other driver as being ahead of him, then stopping to go in reverse to enter the parking stall - the OP jumped into the stall ahead of him.

(And yes, you have to watch out for those darned Pediatricians - they might be darting between cars to rush & deliver a baby. )

Correct, but there is still an area of the parking lot that is not the space you have to reverse your car through to get to the space. In my example, the car went passed 3 spaces and was going to reverse. Which is why I did not realize they were planning on backing in. Just, like in the OP- the car went passed the space and then stopped. So, there is still that much parking area to reverse through before the parking space itself. I've watched hundreds of times as I wait patiently for these backer-inners to take three times as long to get into their space than it would be if they just pulled in. Sure, their exit is safer and faster, but their parking was most definitely not any safer than the person who backs out.

[NancysSummerSip]

The OP was following my husband, I think. The man just hates to park any other way except back on. Oh, and only at the end of the aisle.

I prefer the back-in method for safety reasons, especially if I am alone or shopping at night. Makes a quick getaway easier, if I happen to feel threatened. But I'm not stuck on it, especially if there is a ton of traffic around. I'd rather be polite that be shot, after all.

[Deleted]

It is safer for the other cars, that I don't back in.  I am better at looking for pedestrians, than I am at judging distance between cars in reverse.  I also like the trunk of my car to face the aisle, so I can load things easier. 

[justme]

Back in parking wouldn't be so bad - if 90% of the people didn't know how to back into a parking spot. It's annoying as hell to sit there waiting minutes because someone has to stop, pull out, angle harder, do it 3 times and oh after you finally think their dumbass is in the spot at pull past them they decide they need to go forward again to make the car straight and practically hit your car. And I've seen way to many back in parkers pull out of the spot like they're at a starting gate barely paying attention to what's around them.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

So, in your defense ripvanwinkle, if the other driver didn't have his turn signal ON -- INDICATING THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE THAT SPOT (yes, I am yelling) -- then you had no way to know his intentions.  

Jeeze, people.  New cars are expensive, especially when you don't ever use some of the features like turn signals that come already installed as STANDARD equipment and take less effort to use than putting down the window and giving the finger to the person who just innocently, unwittingly, stole the spot you wanted but didn't indicate.   

[mroped]

Maybe if the car manufacturers would charge extra for the installation of turn signals, people would use them more?! After all you would remember every time you turn: " wait, I have this gizmo here that cost me a lot when I bought the car"

If you let him have the spot after the initial misunderstanding, what was he bitching about?
Maybe you should've taken the spot so he/she would have a reason to complain!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 3, 2016 15:24:14 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

So, in your defense ripvanwinkle , if the other driver didn't have his turn signal ON -- INDICATING THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE THAT SPOT (yes, I am yelling) -- then you had no way to know his intentions.  

Jeeze, people.  New cars are expensive, especially when you don't ever use some of the features like turn signals that come already installed as STANDARD equipment and take less effort to use than putting down the window and giving the finger to the person who just innocently, unwittingly, stole the spot you wanted but didn't indicate.   

There are back up lights to tell intentions.

[NoNamePerson]

The scene from Fried Green Tomatos pops into mind when folks get pissy about parking spaces.  

[NastyWoman]

Over here it is not legal in some places to back into a parking spot. Parking near BART comes to mind. And yes, you eill get ticketed for backing in. 

[ripvanwinkle]

Jan 3, 2016 15:24:14 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

So, in your defense ripvanwinkle , if the other driver didn't have his turn signal ON -- INDICATING THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE THAT SPOT (yes, I am yelling) -- then you had no way to know his intentions.  

Jeeze, people.  New cars are expensive, especially when you don't ever use some of the features like turn signals that come already installed as STANDARD equipment and take less effort to use than putting down the window and giving the finger to the person who just innocently, unwittingly, stole the spot you wanted but didn't indicate.   

Thank you. I forgot to mention it was angle in parking. And I've also have had to wait for someone to take 2 or 3 times to get into a spot. Back and forth. He didn't have any turn signal on or any backup lights. It wasn't a new car by any means. I suppose they could not be working.

[NoNamePerson]

I'm just curious which blinker do you turn on when backing up trying to park. Heck I would just turn on flashers. People always get out of you way - scared you are going to break down    

[moon/Laura]

Jan 3, 2016 11:39:13 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

the OP illustrates how you don't know where everything is when backing in.

Actually, to me, the OP shows that it didn't occur to them that someone might back into a space. Although (in my opinion) the fact that he STOPPED should have been a clue.

[Deleted]

Jan 3, 2016 18:16:44 GMT -5 ripvanwinkle said:

Jan 3, 2016 15:24:14 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

So, in your defense ripvanwinkle , if the other driver didn't have his turn signal ON -- INDICATING THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE THAT SPOT (yes, I am yelling) -- then you had no way to know his intentions.  

Jeeze, people.  New cars are expensive, especially when you don't ever use some of the features like turn signals that come already installed as STANDARD equipment and take less effort to use than putting down the window and giving the finger to the person who just innocently, unwittingly, stole the spot you wanted but didn't indicate.   

Thank you. I forgot to mention it was angle in parking. And I've also have had to wait for someone to take 2 or 3 times to get into a spot. Back and forth. He didn't have any turn signal on or any backup lights. It wasn't a new car by any means. I suppose they could not be working.

The only time I back into angle parking is if the spot is on the "wrong" side of the aisle. Otherwise it's awkward and too much back and forth. I can back into a straight spot properly on the first try. I wouldn't have expected that driver to be trying to back into an angled parking space on the right either.

I usually just pull into straight parking spaces. The times I do back in, I'm not sure what makes me do it. Oddly enough, the chances of me parking straight are better if I back in.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Jan 3, 2016 16:34:55 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Jan 3, 2016 15:24:14 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

So, in your defense ripvanwinkle , if the other driver didn't have his turn signal ON -- INDICATING THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE THAT SPOT (yes, I am yelling) -- then you had no way to know his intentions.  

Jeeze, people.  New cars are expensive, especially when you don't ever use some of the features like turn signals that come already installed as STANDARD equipment and take less effort to use than putting down the window and giving the finger to the person who just innocently, unwittingly, stole the spot you wanted but didn't indicate.   

There are back up lights to tell intentions.

Yes.  They tell you someone is backing up.

Back up lights and a turn signal on the same side of the road as the parking space indicate that someone intends to back into that open space.  

[ripvanwinkle]

Well I suppose what might have tripped me up was THIS WAS ANGLE IN PARKING!!!. Just didn't think about back in parking.