Why do people back into spaces in parking lots?

FilmCarp said:
 So, when someone brings up a different issue about driving you ask them what it has to do with the topic at hand, and then proceed to bring up a different issue about driving.  But you have drifted to a place recently where you can't seem to accept that others think you are wrong, and they have reasonable reasons for saying so.  I will continue, when the situation is correct, to back in to spots because it is safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and others.  It may inconvenience a driver, but that is less important than safety.

 no - inconveniencing another driver is what causes the situations which decrease safety. You should always choose that which inconveniences the least. This is an obvious fact. As I said - safe driving is predicated on the ability of predicting the behavior of your fellow drivers. Once you start doing something unusual, like backing in, you increase the risk for everybody.

And it's not safer for anyone - since backing into a space causes the same types of situations as backing out, except backing in is disruptive, while backing out is expected, and therefore not disruptive.

And all I did was give another example fo something that annoys me. Sorry if I went off topic.

Recently, I often come back to the parking lot to find my Camry or Matrix hemmed in on both sides by long, tall, opaque cars/trucks.  There is no way I can see well enough to back out safely, and i'm not going to wait for the other vehicle(s) to leave, so what is there to do other than make a habit of backing into the space (yes, if perpendicular and if permitted)?  Should I lean on the horn and hope for the best?  Get one of those back-up beeper things and hope for the best?  I've never had any safety issue backing into a space, but have had a number of close calls backing out, leaving aside the near coronary from creeping out from between vehicles that might as well be walls....

Sorry, db, but to me it's safety, for my car, other vehicles, and heaven forfend, the pedestrians.  Granted, this is Wisconsin, where people are generally more patient (except at red lights).  ymmv

I saw someone cover both side of the issue today.  He pulled in forward (all the way), and then backed up into the space behind him.

jmitw said:
I saw someone cover both side of the issue today.  He pulled in forward (all the way), and then backed up into the space behind him.

 He probably did that to annoy me.

mjc said:
Recently, I often come back to the parking lot to find my Camry or Matrix hemmed in on both sides by long, tall, opaque cars/trucks.  There is no way I can see well enough to back out safely, and i'm not going to wait for the other vehicle(s) to leave, so what is there to do other than make a habit of backing into the space (yes, if perpendicular and if permitted)?  Should I lean on the horn and hope for the best?  Get one of those back-up beeper things and hope for the best?  I've never had any safety issue backing into a space, but have had a number of close calls backing out, leaving aside the near coronary from creeping out from between vehicles that might as well be walls....
Sorry, db, but to me it's safety, for my car, other vehicles, and heaven forfend, the pedestrians.  Granted, this is Wisconsin, where people are generally more patient (except at red lights).  ymmv

 Well, that's a problem with huge trucks, mostly. If you ask me, big lots should have sections for those ridiculously large trucks and SUV's and keep them away from the normals. Our lots were not built to accommodate them safely.

PVW said:
It’s much safer to back into parking spaces. Why don’t we do it?

We shouldn't do it because parking spaces are created by architects for front-in parking! If they were created for back ins, parking lots would be different. If you think parking lots should be back-in, then you can lobby for that, but you'd sacrifice a lot of space in the lot. 

Most parking lots created in the last decade are made for cars to line up and park, evenly, parallel, front in, because they fit that way and you can fit a lot of cars in that way. Recently created parking spaces are as small as they are because of this. 

Not to mention, most often, the illegal back-ins aren't straight in, and always a pain in the *** when you're trying to even out your car next to them. Regardless, the biggest reason is that when your car is backed into a front in park lot, the head-in car next to you has trouble opening the driver's door against your driver's side mirror/door! Not to mention that driving out towards the front in a small parking lot doesn't always afford enough room for smooth sailing... 

If you think that you should be able to back in while others cannot, then you're just being selfish, arrogant, and ignorant. It's just not the way the lots are set up. And like I said, if you want to set them up for backing in for everyone, the lots need a lot more room. So, for a lot with 20 spaces, you might end up with 12-15. 

If the lot is made for front in, then everyone using the lot should park front in, regardless of what's individually, skillfully, and momentarily possible. I can't imagine any other way that makes any sense. 

If there is room to back out of a spot, then there is room to back into a spot.  And backing in is only illegal if the lot has signage saying head in only

I’m not even entirely convinced that your post wasn’t an attempt at sarcasm 

This whole debate about parking boils down to human behavior. The absence of common courtesy is at the root of much of our behavior. 

If someone is backing out of a parking space slowly, common courtesy would be for the person driving through should stop and let that person reverse out. Instead they speed up to get by before the person reverses out. The only time they would stop and wait for the person to back out would be if they needed to park in that spot.

If you back into the space you are being selfish and controlling, because you swing left or right knowing that you are deliberately holding up the flow of traffic. Then you back in and look at the people you have just inconvenienced with that smirk on your face. 

Rude, obnoxious and controlling. Most people driving around have control issues. And God forbid someone call them out for it they become aggressively abusive. Look at how they react to getting pulled over for speeding in front of a kids play ground.....

Common courtesy is not so common anymore.

Jaytee said:
Common courtesy is not so common anymore.

 What year was courtesy more common?

Next up:  A three month debate about signal light mis/non-use.

bub said:
Next up:  A three month debate about signal light mis/non-use.

 No debate. I do it correctly. Nobody else does.   

Oy. 

I back in whenever I can. The only time I don't is if there's someone right  behind me, and that's only -- and I assume this is why some places don't want you to back into spots -- because I assume anyone right behind me will be too stupid to understand what it means when I PASS a spot with my blinker on and then immediately stop and try to reverse into it. 

Absent that, it's obviously far safer to back into the spot you just saw was empty than it is to later back out, oversized SUVs on both of your sides, into vehicle or pedestrian traffic you cannot see. 

Those who really object because they're bad at backing up should consider doing some weekend practicing in an empty parking lot. It's truly not that hard. 

After reading the comments of the anti backing in folks, I feel much better about my consistent practice of backing into perpendicular parking spots. The exclusion of course are angled spots like those on Maplewood Ave. People who back into those spots are fools. 

It's funny how this argument reflects so many political and social arguments. 

Someone starts off with a statement that a particular behavior is bad and detrimental, in large part an emotional reaction to being inconvenienced.

Counter arguments are made, including some study data which show there is a benefit overall to the behavior.

The counter arguments are completely rejected based on the fact that the original arguer's personal experience and perspective are the only factors which matter. Not even the slightest acknowledgement that the opposing viewpoint has any validity. 

(Also note the very first response to the original post was some knucklehead just poking the OP for a cheap laugh. Typical troll behaviour.)

Why do people force perfectly good American words to take a “U” turn?

You're ostensibly trying to make your English more English, but you're actually making your life, and everyone else's, vowelier. 

It's a lose lose situation.

So STOP IT!

Thank you.

Speaking of backing in, I just wish the OP didn't use the word "approbation" backwards. STOP IT!

Sundays said:
Speaking of backing in, I just wish the OP didn't use the word "approbation" backwards. STOP IT!

 Did I misuse it? I even looked it up first.

gonets said:
After reading the comments of the anti backing in folks, I feel much better about my consistent practice of backing into perpendicular parking spots. The exclusion of course are angled spots like those on Maplewood Ave. People who back into those spots are fools. 

 Why is backing into an angled space wrong?

drummerboy said:
 Why is backing into an angled space wrong?

 Because the way angled spots are oriented you would be pulling out of the space into oncoming traffic.

If it's perpendicular parking, it doesn't matter if you park head-first or correctly.  Either way you car is leaving the space at a right angle to the oncoming traffic.  

If you park head-in, the back of your car will go toward oncoming traffic as you pull out.

If you park correctly, you just turn right into the flow of traffic.

Noticed this on a walk during lunch today. Washington St had switched to reverse angled parking after the repave a while back. Doubt it will change minds, but thought I'd post it.

https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/reverse-angle-parking

FTR, reverse parker. But not on the angled spaces in the village,   

mrincredible said:

 Perhaps there should be a law against getting into your car in one of those spots and taking longer than 30 seconds to start it, pull out and leave. Double the fine if your foot is on the brake pedal for more than 30 seconds.

I think we've all been there. You're looking for a parking space, then you see someone get in their car. Much rejoicing. Then for some reason it takes him several minutes actually get their car in motion. And I'm not talking about someone who's putting a kid into a car seat, because I have complete sympathy for that person.

There is law and there is courtesy.  There is no law, nor should there be, against sitting in your car in a parking space so long as you haven't exceeded the posted time limit.  What if you need to make a phone call to determine how to get to your next destination, for example?  That should be done before starting up the car and backing out of the space and the space won't become available any sooner if you make that phone call while standing on the sidewalk before getting into the car.  While I have certainly been frustrated at times when this happens it definitely should not be illegal.

sac said:
There is law and there is courtesy.  There is no law, nor should there be, against sitting in your car in a parking space so long as you haven't exceeded the posted time limit.  What if you need to make a phone call to determine how to get to your next destination, for example?  That should be done before starting up the car and backing out of the space and the space won't become available any sooner if you make that phone call while standing on the sidewalk before getting into the car.  While I have certainly been frustrated at times when this happens it definitely should not be illegal.

 Hm. 

Okay, but if your foot goes on the brake pedal and those lights come on you have ten seconds.  

mrincredible said:
 Hm. 
Okay, but if your foot goes on the brake pedal and those lights come on you have ten seconds.  

Agreed.  If you need to make a call, fine.  Make it, and THEN shove your key in the ignition. 

prerak77 said:
Noticed this on a walk during lunch today. Washington St had switched to reverse angled parking after the repave a while back. Doubt it will change minds, but thought I'd post it.
https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/reverse-angle-parking

FTR, reverse parker. But not on the angled spaces in the village,   

This will be hilarious.  No doubt there will be tons of arguments over the unspoken rule of passing a spot, not least when the person behind is riding their *** and won’t let them back up.  

Should also be awesome for those strolling along Washington St, let alone sitting on the sidewalk having dinner, when those cars fire up to leave their spots.   

I pull forward into angled spaces when I have enough room to still turn the right way to get out...even if that means parking a little further away than the store...of course this doesn't work with street angled parking or anywhere there is only 1 row of parking, but when there are double spots, it does work that I can still go the right direction when I exit.

mrincredible said:

sac said:
There is law and there is courtesy.  There is no law, nor should there be, against sitting in your car in a parking space so long as you haven't exceeded the posted time limit.  What if you need to make a phone call to determine how to get to your next destination, for example?  That should be done before starting up the car and backing out of the space and the space won't become available any sooner if you make that phone call while standing on the sidewalk before getting into the car.  While I have certainly been frustrated at times when this happens it definitely should not be illegal.

 Hm. 
Okay, but if your foot goes on the brake pedal and those lights come on you have ten seconds.  

Actually, the lights I look for are the white "back-up" lights, not the red brake lights.  Only when I see the backup lights do I expect they are coming out imminently.  Until then I have no such confidence.  (Sometimes there really isn't anywhere else to put your foot.)

drummerboy said:

gonets said:
After reading the comments of the anti backing in folks, I feel much better about my consistent practice of backing into perpendicular parking spots. The exclusion of course are angled spots like those on Maplewood Ave. People who back into those spots are fools. 

 Why is backing into an angled space wrong?

 That being said there are actually angled parking spots in certain municipalities where the drivers are expected to back in. Basically the angle is the inverse of what we have in Maplewood Village. So, you'd pull past the spot you intend to back into, easily back in, because it's on angle that makes it easy, and then when you pull out it's easy, because you're already in the direction of the traffic. That sort of parking situation is totally awesome. Plus, those horrible people who try to turn left into a parking spot totally screw themselves, because backing out of such a spot would a hell of their own design. We won't even need to shame them with a look of disdain.

gonets said:

drummerboy said:

gonets said:
After reading the comments of the anti backing in folks, I feel much better about my consistent practice of backing into perpendicular parking spots. The exclusion of course are angled spots like those on Maplewood Ave. People who back into those spots are fools. 

 Why is backing into an angled space wrong?

 That being said there are actually angled parking spots in certain municipalities where the drivers are expected to back in. Basically the angle is the inverse of what we have in Maplewood Village. So, you'd pull past the spot you intend to back into, easily back in, because it's on angle that makes it easy, and then when you pull out it's easy, because you're already in the direction of the traffic. That sort of parking situation is totally awesome. Plus, those horrible people who try to turn left into a parking spot totally screw themselves, because backing out of such a spot would a hell of their own design. We won't even need to shame them with a look of disdain.

 See my post up above 

drummerboy said:

Sundays said:
Speaking of backing in, I just wish the OP didn't use the word "approbation" backwards. STOP IT!

 Did I misuse it? I even looked it up first.

 Approbation is praise or approval. Unless I misread your intent, I thought you meant they were deserving of your scorn or consternation - if not for backing in then for driving such "hulking" vehicles.

(The only exception is if you're driving one of those ridiculously large pickup trucks or SUV's, in which case it might possibly make sense, except that it is negated by the fact that it makes no sense that you're driving such a hulk in the first place, so you're wrong anyway and still deserve my approbation.)