In Defense of Backing Into Parking Spaces
This'll be a bit of a controversial take and I may lose some of you, but hear me out: backing into parking spaces is potentially safer than pulling into them, and if you are able, you should opt into the former before the latter. Of course, there are caveats, but we'll get into that.
I know what you're thinking: "That's absolute bullshit, people who back into parking spaces are the absolute worst."
And a few years ago, I would have agreed. Then, I got a job at a bus depot where it was mandatory to back into your space in the parking lot. The spaces were lined up against the building; cars constantly backing into a general driving area of buses and other cars was much more dangerous than just taking a little more time to back into a spot.
And I'm not being hyperbolic: it was MANDATORY. As in, you could get written up if you didn't do it. I don't know anyone who was, since we were all more than happy to back into our spaces. We all had CDLs and got paid handsomely to drive large vehicles over an extended period, it's not like it was a huge ask in the first place. Over time, you get used to it and it starts to seem off whenever you're presented with the prospect of pulling into a parking spot.
Also, yes; in most cases, it is safer. Just ask AAA, who straight-up recommends it because it reduces the risks of a crash. Think about it: when you're behind the wheel, you need to at the very least have a vague idea about what's going on along all six sides of your vehicle. When you reverse out of a space, your field of vision is much more restricted than it would be forwarding out of a space. Reverse cameras help to narrow the gap, but you're still comparatively flying blind.
However, if you're going to start backing into parking spaces, keep these things in mind:
- Safety is the most important thing.
If you can't safely do it, don't. If you're not confident in your driving, maybe brush up on your parallel parking before you back into spaces in parking lots. If you enter a lot that's too crowded or too narrow, fully assess the risk level before you take the plunge. - Take your time.
It's not a race. Taking your time further assuages risk and helps you affirm that your parking job is straight and that there's enough clearance. And if you're worried about the people waiting behind you, think about how much more delay and risk you'd be putting out into those people's lives while backing out of a spot. Because it's way more.
But, at the same time, don't take all day; if it takes you more than a couple minutes to back into a spot, maybe brush up on your driving. - Do NOT do this in diagonal parking spots.
Just... no. Diagonal parking has its own problems; it doesn't need more people who think it's safe to pull out forward against a one-way lane. Backing into a spot is the exact opposite of safe when it comes to diagonal parking.
When in doubt, ask yourself, "What would Stone Cold Steve Austin do?"
He'd probably back into that parking space, and crank up the finger to anyone ballsy enough to lay on the horn.
What are your thoughts on this? Am I on the money, or off the mark? Drop a line @note and give me your feedback.