Backing In

[rltvader]

A work mate of mine doesn't understand why people back into parking spaces, I do it myself, and he asked me why I do it. It was actually an interesting question that was hard to answer with logical sense.
I mostly do it so people can see my grille, does anyone here have a reason for why they do it?
Without the answer "I do it so I can leave faster"

[jimmy828]

when leaving, i think it is safer to exit out of parking area front first because of parking lot traffic, but that's just me.

[70 ranger]

I always back in so that when I come out of the store I don't find that I am going to have a rough time getting out. If some guy across from me is in a dodge four door mega cab dually and is sticking way out in my way I will have an easier time getting out if I am backed in to start with. The real problem is how small the parking spaces have gotten over the years. could you imagine if everyone was driving 60's and 70's cars and trucks? And this" small car only paring" really gets me going. I have never seen a "big old truck only" spot.

[rltvader]

My workmate still thinks these are terrible answers, he says "if your worried about backing out of a standard parking space, you shouldn't be driving at all"

[jimmy828]

My workmate still thinks these are terrible answers, he says "if your worried about backing out of a standard parking space, you shouldn't be driving at all"

ask your workmate does he pull forward or pull backwards when he wipes his A**

[mr_josh]

I don't think there's anything wrong with an arbitrary "Because I like to". But if you're one of those people that has to have a reason for everything they do, then "easier to see traffic when pulling out" works most of the time. There are a couple of spots at my workplace that I back in to because I like the way it looks- almost everyone backs in to the spots, and I like the uniformity of all of the cars facing the same direction. Maybe that's a little OCD but who cares? I am totally fine with admitting that there are things I do in my life that have no purpose other than to make me happy.

[Kurt Combs]

1. Gives me practice backing with my mirrors. (Backing out is easier, so backing in takes more talent)
2. I back in if there is no traffic, when I leave it might be busy.
3. Irritates my wife.
4. I don't need a reason.
5. I would do it just to irritate your friend, who needs professional help.

[fireguywtc]

It is a an abitrary and totally subjective thing to discuss. Besides preference, I tend to back into spaces because I get more room from the back of the truck to the back tires to get into the space preventing my truck from hanging out into the drive area. For example, I do this a lot with my F350 crew long bed, when I back in the truck tucks in a bit more then when I pull into a space. When I pull in the back of the truck ends up sticking way out making it more of a target to get hit. Hope that makes sense.

[Kurt Combs]

Ok, I have thought about this a little more and I think I know why I back in, it has to do with geometry (or maybe it is trigonometry). It is easier to get the vehicle straight in the parking sport when you back in. Kind of like driving a forklift, the front tires "swing around" while that back will only follow. I am also the kind of person who believes in getting the hard work done and over with. I back in and then when I leave I have the hard work done. I also "pull through" when possible so I don't have to back up at all, just go forward when I leave.

[AlleyCat]

I usually back into parking spots too. My habit comes from driving big trucks as part of my job. It's way easier to back in than back a long vehicle blindly into traffic. Much safer too.

[woods]

Tell him because you normally start a fight everywhere you go and you want to make a quick get-away before the cops show up and that he is starting make you angry for asking you about your backing in habbits.

[robroy]

Good evening,

It seems that the larger and more challenging the vehicle is to drive, the more I tend to back in to parking spaces.

For me it has to do with being prepared for any potential emergency that might come up. When we're parking, we basically know whether there are any big problems at that moment, and usually there aren't. So it makes sense to spend some extra time during this mellow state, in order to save time later. Later on, there could be an emergency at hand, like having to rush somebody to the hospital or having to flee from a robotic triceratops. In an emergency situation you already have a lot to think about and deal with; having one less thing to deal with under those conditions seems like a good idea.

When I was learning to drive, my father Hugh actually made a big point out of that, for the sake of emergency preparedness.

Robroy

[robroy]

Tell him because you normally start a fight everywhere you go and you want to make a quick get-away before the cops show up and that he is starting make you angry for asking you about your backing in habbits.

Great one!!!

[72BahamaBlue]

For so long I thought I was the only one who backed into parking spots! My friends would tease me, I thought it completely logical; get the hard part over with, sail out with little effort.
Also, my old Escort Wagon's windows would fog up, the front defrost worked faster than the rear. Also easier to see other less than skilled drivers barging out of their space(s).

Similar to Woods' last post, I started telling my friends that I planned on dine 'n dash/shoplifting/unauthorized bank withdrawal, needing a quick getaway. "Wait here: keep it running: I'll be right back."

[PhantomoftheBumpside]

Emergency Preparedness. Quicker response time, and higher visibility when leaving so you don't get jammed up by a less aware driver.

The very same reasons that almost all countries/states/municipalities build their facilities to park ambulances, fire trucks, aircraft and military vehicles facing out and ready to go.