People who back into parking spots: Why? - eviltoast

To me, it seems objectively easier to pull into a parking space forward and then back out of the space when you are ready to leave. You don’t have to line up with the lines while driving backwards, and it’s easier to keep from hitting other cars as well. So why back in? To me, the only advantage I can think of is that you can get out quicker, technically.

Edit: I do not need driving instruction, just wondered why. The reasoning.

  • dustyData@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    89
    arrow-down
    3
    ·
    1 year ago

    Here’s an intuitive reason, have you ever used a wheelbarrow? You’ll notice that picking up a wheel barrow to push it is extremely nimble to spin it up around the wheel and dumping the contents precisely. Turn around and try instead to pull on it, and suddenly you can’t make as sharp turns and maneuvers unless you uncomfortably shimmy your feet around. One fixed point of swivel with a long lever behaves differently being pushed than when being pulled. A car has a similar effect in place, driving backwards a car is more precise and maneuverable than going forward. Because the rear wheels act as pivot points and the front wheels have a long arm of leverage to more accurately direct the car, with tighter turn radius than when going forward. This is why experienced drivers agree that reversing into a parking spot is easier than pulling into it.

    • cogman@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Visibility is way better and traffic rules play to your favor.

      When you back in, you already have right of way. Traffic has to wait for you to park and you aren’t reversing into cross traffic.

      If you park forward, when you go to leave you have to worry about cross traffic and your head/eyes are far removed from where you need to be looking. You don’t have right of way which means a lot of awkward mashing the brakes when a car or pedestrian pops out of your blind spot.

      In short, you can park faster and more accurately and you can leave faster and safer.

      The only reason to park forward is there’s a line of cars behind you that won’t let you reverse into a spot. Otherwise, it’s always the right choice.