Why do people back into parking spots?

Hoosier Daddy wrote:

It’s well known in Indianapolis that backing in when you park at certain popular venues indicates you prefer it from behind. So the more dominant types park forwards. I assume this is true at many interstate rest stops as well...

Any of the parking areas along the Fall Creek trail typically have at least one man sitting alone in a car backed into a spot.

I am personally against backing into a spot because it is much more difficult to pull out forward when you are leaving. Yes, you read that correctly.

When I pull out of a spot next to other cars, I need to move my car 3-5 feet out into the aisle before I can see around large cars next to me, especially on the driver's side. Because of the way people drive in parking lots, I feel vulnerable to being hit. I also can't see around the other cars to tell if there are pedestrians, bikers etc.

Most cars today have backup cameras. Many also have multiple modes. The moment I shift into reverse and the camera turns on (in wide angle mode), I am able to see the entire aisle, sometimes both ends of it. Without a doubt, I can ascertain whether or not there are any hazards without moving my car at all.

Don't get me started on pull-through parking. If you are in a lot that is fairly full, how do you know someone else isn't going to quickly pull forward into the spot you are crossing in to?

I have asked myself the same question. My conclusion: People are stupid and/or can't operate a car.

Search first wrote:

This topic has been done already many times. Use the search function.

1.) backing in only seems like a lot of work if you are a shltty driver, it's actually very easy

2.) backing in is a safer way to park (it is mandatory at my son's elementary school to back in).

I'm sorry you are such a bad driver that backing in requires a lot of work for you. I'm also sorry that you are an idiot who can't use the search feature on this site.

2.) backing in is a safer way to park (it is mandatory at my son's elementary school to back in).

So you don't "accidentally" run over a child who is not aware enough to know that some adults are not paying attention when they backup.

Years ago, I took a short driving course taught by a race car driver. Besides showing us the proper way to stop a spin, the most important lesson was showing us how to place review mirrors. He said proper placement of review mirrors was the #1 problem drivers had, and it lead to unnecessary accidents. By placing mirrors at the correct positions (you can't see the side of your car in the mirror) you eliminate the dreaded blind spots most drivers can't see. And proper placement helps you back into a parking spot with ease (there is no need to look at a rear view cam to backwards park).

People who think it is wrong to back in have their side mirrors pointed wrong.

not hard, slow wrote:

It's not about work; it's about time. It's faster to pull into a spot forward and then back out than it is to back in and then pull out forward. I don't care how easy or hard it is. Just do it fast.

^ This is not true if you know how to park correctly. Backing fast leads to knocking down people leaving their cars. The poster "not hard, slow" is an idiot.

i back my car in and im a total loser, just so everyone knows.

Not true wrote:

not hard, slow wrote:

It's not about work; it's about time. It's faster to pull into a spot forward and then back out than it is to back in and then pull out forward. I don't care how easy or hard it is. Just do it fast.

^ This is not true if you know how to park correctly. Backing fast leads to knocking down people leaving their cars. The poster "not hard, slow" is an idiot.

Just hit the horn when you back up so that people know to get out of the way.

This struggling company I used to work for brought in a high-priced consultant to review us. So we're going over the results in the conference room and he says employee morale sucks and adds"take for example that car backed into that parking spot (and points out the window). That shows me someone that's in a big hurry to get out of here at the end of the day. "

Heh-heh, that was the private parking spot of the CEO, sitting there in front of him. He was right, too.