Parking cars - drive in or reverse in?

[Quickstatus]

Tesla

I use the Frunk a lot. Fits the usual shopping perfectly and the bags stay in one place

BYD

Great cars. Outselling Tesla in many places.

 

[Quickstatus]

backing in to a spot will always be the more accurate way to do it.

I almost always reverse in and if I can I use a parking bay with a concrete pole on the passengers side and reverse in with the passenger side mirror almost touching the concrete pole

2 benefits:
More space to get out on drivers side
At least 50% or more less chance of door dings

 

[luckypierre]

I almost always reverse in and if I can I use a parking bay with a concrete pole on the passengers side and reverse in with the passenger side mirror almost touching the concrete pole

2 benefits:
More space to get out on drivers side
At least 50% or more less chance of door dings

Certainly agree with you always try to maximise distance to other cars to prevent damage to our cars. And with my 4WD always reverse in to permit a safer exit when driving out.

 

[VPS]

I think it depends on the situation whether you reverse or drive in. My favourite is when you go somewhere and there are two spaces and you can drive through to the second one and don't have to reverse at all. Maybe I should put that in the little things I like thread

 

[RooFlyer]

I think it depends on the situation whether you reverse or drive in. My favourite is when you go somewhere and there are two spaces and you can drive through to the second one and don't have to reverse at all. Maybe I should put that in the little things I like thread

WCMO is when I go to do that, but then someone entering the other way drives in all the way, so occupying the space in front.

 

[VPS]

WCMO is when I go to do that, but then someone entering the other way drives in all the way, so occupying the space in front.

That happened to me the other day and I was on the phone to someone and I swore profusely

 

[JohnM]

Very common in towns in the Pilbara (eg. Newman) for there to be signs to say reverse into parking bays. Local people, at least, seem to do it habitually there.

I imagine that it's a (safety?) requirement on the mine sites.

It's much easier in a 'larger' vehicle (ie. a full-size 4x4) to reverse into parking bays and drive out frontwards in most parking areas at places like shopping centres, Bunnings etc.

But it's likely beyond the capability of most to execute the maneuver quickly and effectively, despite the ubiquity of rear-view cameras and proximity sensors these days...

 

[anat0l]

But it's likely beyond the capability of most to execute the maneuver quickly and effectively, despite the ubiquity of rear-view cameras and proximity sensors these days...

Rear view cameras and proximity sensors don't make the entire process foolproof and obvious. It just makes it much, much simpler to avoid an accident (except when the lateral edges of your backside hit something).

Full surround profile cameras and autopark are the next generation of aids in this.

Those that say rear view cameras and proximity sensors make the whole process a walk in the park probably didn't need them in the first place, because they are frequently older generations who learned to drive without such aids.

If they made reverse-in parking compulsory on driving tests (and retests were required upon licence renewal), I'd wager there'd be a massive improvement. (In QLD, reverse parallel parking is compulsory on tests, and they don't really care how slowly you make that park during your test, so long as you do it in one or two attempts only)

 

[33kft]

I imagine that it's a (safety?) requirement on the mine sites.

I've seen this at a number of my customers sites, depending on industry. My transport and logistics customers in Melbourne tend to have signs in their carpark requiring reverse parking, including for visitors.

Having an EV has certainly increased my reverse parking speed and dexterity as most charger spots require you to back in to reach (which, depending on charge door location, may require it).

 

[Pushka]

WCMO is when I go to do that, but then someone entering the other way drives in all the way, so occupying the space in front.

And Murphy law is that as you go to drive out of a 'front in' park, and there's a space ahead to simply drive forward then some numpty ignores all the other empty spaces and parks in that space. As you watch.

 

[SuePa]

And Murphy law is that as you go to drive out of a 'front in' park, and there's a space ahead to simply drive forward then some numpty ignores all the other empty spaces and parks in that space. As you watch.

Maybe they're hoping you're on your way out and they can drive through.

 

[Pushka]

Maybe they're hoping you're on your way out and they can drive through.

Well I damn well would be if they got out of my way. And well sometimes I delay my exit in such circumstances until it’s clear they are getting out. . I’m a bit naughty like that.

 

[Cossie]

At the Fyshwick fruit and veg markets there are signs everywhere requesting that you don’t reverse park, if you are sitting a table having a coffee, you don’t want to be breathing exhaust fumes.
Last week there was a twin cab ute reversed parked directly in front of one of these signs, at the time I didn't have anything to take a photo of it with.

 

[Lynda2475]

You're giving opinions on driving - I thought you didn't drive?

Do not have to be a driver to understand the safety aspect. I am a passenger in cars with drivers that reverse park several times a week, they can both reverse park in a single maneuver - i see no evidence of it taking longer than driving in except if the driver is not competent.

FYI Reverse parking is a requirement of the NSW driving exam to get your Ps.

 

[Pushka]

Do not have to be a driver to understand the safety aspect. I am a passenger in cars with drivers that reverse park several times a week, they can both reverse park in a single maneuver - i see no evidence of it taking longer than driving in except if the driver is not competent.

FYI Reverse parking is a requirement of the NSW driving exam to get your Ps.

Well, a queue of cars was lined up today waiting for someone to reverse park. Likely they weren’t competent but that isn’t the way road rules should work. They have to be written for the mid range if not low range competency level. We always taught our kids to drive safely etc but always expect that other drivers aren’t as competent as you are. Saves some consequences.

 

[mrsterryn]

Learning in nsw going back over 20 years ago
My son has just got his Ls . The wicked stepfather kindly offered to teach child driving, mum aka me wanted to say I did it. Yeah well that lasted 15 whole mins. The wicked stepfather took over and son passed on his first go at getting his licence. Wicked stepfather is far far (even now lol ) more calm and patient that I

 

[Lynda2475]

Well, a queue of cars was lined up today waiting for someone to reverse park.

So you would have park less safely to save a few seconds wait to park? Patience grasshopper.

I find most of the queues/entry blockages in car parks happens because of impatient people taking a spot in the first/entry row when often there are multiple spots in the next few rows which if selected would not create a delay at entry/exit.

IMO you should only park in the entry row when there is nothing else available.

Also at our local Coles carpark a lot of the reason for people taking multiple attempts to get in and out of a sport irrespective of what method they use is idiots parking large 4WDs, double cab tradie vehicles in spots designated for small cars.

Unless you are a driving a smart car (those toy-like ones), a small hatchback or very small sedan - you are not a small car. Station wagons, SUVs, 4WDs, Utes, Mini-Vans and Vans are not small vehicles, and need a regular or oversize spot not a "small car only" spot.

 

[Quickstatus]

WCMO is an ICE car parking in an EV charging bay

 

[Pushka]

So you would have park less safely to save a few seconds wait to park? Patience grasshopper.

Reverse parking isn't a requirement in any car park in South Australia and I'd suggest 95% don't do it. She could have very safely driven in front facing. And I've backed out of that area many times without seeing any incident. So I don't get your point.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

How best to do?