Why Do People Choose to Reverse Park into a Carpark?

tomb11 on 11/11/2022 - 16:22

I've never understood the reasons why people choose to reverse park. As the title suggests, I want to understand the reasons why people naturally reverse park as their go-to instead of forward parking.

Common argument I hear is that it's easier/faster to get out. But, doesn't it just make it slower/harder to park the car?

Another one is that it reduces the chances of reversing into someone when leaving (where I assume a lot of accidents occur), but again, isn't there still that risk when completing the initial park?

What am I missing?

Poll Options

  • 1427
    To make it easier/faster to leave
  • 59
    To reduce my chances of reversing into someone
  • 96
    Because I like to reverse park. Simple.
  • 40
    Other reason - comment
  • 146
    I always forward park
Automotive

Comments

  • El cheepo on 11/11/2022 - 16:49
    +7

    Forward parking in a big car is far more difficult then reverse parking in a lot of bays.

    Then there’s the added convenience of it been easier/safer when leaving.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 11/11/2022 - 16:49
    +11

    I do it just to annoy you OP.

  • KaTst3R on 11/11/2022 - 16:54
    +5

    From a safety perspective it is actually safer and some companies have this as part of their mandatory safety protocol for operational vehicles.

  • KangaDrew on 11/11/2022 - 16:57
    +14

    How is this even a question that needs answering? 🤷🏻‍♂️

    • bobbified on 11/11/2022 - 17:15
      +2

      Judging by the number of people that try to drive front in then have to reverse out to straighten up, I'd say yes.

      Then there's also the clowns who try to drive front-in into a parellel parking spot that's just big enough for their car…..

  • Euphemistic on 11/11/2022 - 16:58
    +3

    I reverse in to park most of the time, usually in one go. Always reverse in the driveway. I refer to it as ‘getaway parking’.

    It’s safer to park rear in. You get a good look around before you park. You get better vision when you leave.

    Recently right my kid to reverse parallel park too. Was quite difficult to describe how to do it because Ive been doing it naturally for so long. Only when we got a lesson with an instructor did she point out the simple steps to follow.

  • Deebo Baggins on 11/11/2022 - 17:06

    Common argument I hear is that it's easier/faster to get out.

    Another one is that it reduces the chances of reversing into someone when leaving.

  • roguescholar on 11/11/2022 - 17:11

    Situational depending on the parking spot.

    • How easy is the spot to park in?
    • How easy is it get the the vehicle back out?
    • Do you need access to the boot/rear hatch?
    • Euphemistic on 11/11/2022 - 17:15

      Do you need access to the boot/rear hatch?

      That’s a good point. Most of the time it’s not hard to get the rear open even when really close to other cars, it tends to be harder to get a trolley in though.

  • PissLUR on 11/11/2022 - 17:12
    +3

    because its easier.

  • core101 on 11/11/2022 - 17:13
    +2

    Common argument I hear is that it's easier/faster to get out. But, doesn't it just make it slower/harder to park the car?

    People may be sober when they reverse park the car.

  • Screamingeagle on 11/11/2022 - 17:15
    +3

    I find that is much easier to reverse in as you have a much clearer view all around the car when reversing in from the road as opposed to trying to reverse out when you have an obstacle (such as a larger SVU/4WD with tinted windows) next to you that limits your visibility.

  • juzza87 on 11/11/2022 - 17:17
    +3

    It's a lot safer when doing a school pickup (you park the car before there are kids everywhere).

  • Ocker on 11/11/2022 - 17:21
    +5

    In most Asian countries this is the way they are taught to drive (park)

    • MS Paint on 11/11/2022 - 17:27
      -1

      Not according to youtube

      • Ocker on 11/11/2022 - 17:35
        +6

        Reckon I will take my own personal experience gained living in Asia for 12 years over whatever youtube push out.

        • MS Paint on 11/11/2022 - 17:38

          That makes sense. Cheers

        • Euphemistic on 11/11/2022 - 18:33
          +1

          Please don’t tell me the internet is wrong!

        • GrueHunter on 11/11/2022 - 21:10
          +1

          Like, all of Asia

          Or just part of Asia but you reckon they’re all the same

          Impressive either way

    • lgacb08 on 11/11/2022 - 22:14
      +1

      funny thing is, you will only see laughable parking techniques committed by asian driver in asian dominate market and shopping centre. The most flabbergasting one is the parallel forward parking between 2 parked cars which you're guaranteed to see every time.

    • bengal tiger on 11/11/2022 - 23:25
      -1

      The practical reason why you are taught this is because other drivers in Asia don't ever give way to other drivers.

      If you ever have to reverse out, you're relying on the goodwill of other drivers to stop and give way to you; instead other cars will keep driving around your reversing vehicle expecting you to give way to them.

      In other words - drivers in Asia would rather risk causing an accident than losing face or being forced to wait.

      source: have seen it happen first-hand in shopping centre car parks in Asia

  • AustriaBargain on 11/11/2022 - 17:23

    Makes it easier to leave. Easier as in you can see all oncoming cars/people, vs blindly backing out. It may be harder to park, but you don't need to worry about oncoming cars/people when parking.

    • Mike88 on 11/11/2022 - 18:02
      +9

      If you are losing time reverse parking you should probably look at getting driving lessons. If you aren't driving a car with a small turning circle it can be very difficult to drive in forwards if not impossible.

    • mapax on 11/11/2022 - 18:27
      +2

      The majority of parking spaces in shopping centre carparks are not parallel parking and you nearly always pull nose first out of parallel parking regardless of whether you reverse in or not.

    • Euphemistic on 11/11/2022 - 18:36
      +2

      Parallel parking is typically aligned with the flow of traffic against the kerb. It is significantly easier to reverse parallel park in a small space, but a skill that not all drivers practice. Nose in can take significantly longer.

      If you are talking about parking at right angle to the flow of traffic (ie turn left or right to park) then yes, most people can drive in quicker than reverse, but exiting is the opposite. But that’s not parallel parking.

    • smartazz104 on 12/11/2022 - 10:46

      Stop following people in the car park then, nothing is more annoying than idiots who follow cars in the car park. You’re not getting a spot near the entrance, learn to walk for more than 30 seconds.

  • aearioweu on 11/11/2022 - 17:32
    +2

    My company implements a rear parking only policy in the carpark for safety. Reasoning pedestrian and vehicle traffic is lower risk in an empty parking spot, and that when people leave work at the end of the day they're a bit tired and their situational awareness isn't as good so not having to reverse out of a spot reduces risk of accident.

    • Tleyx on 14/11/2022 - 10:17

      The only disadvantage of reversing in is that there is little more risk to property damage but property can be fixed easier than humans

  • zombrex on 11/11/2022 - 17:33
    +2

    In some countries (Japan) it is the norm for everyone to reverse park in, it is considered safer and a courtesy to pedestrians.

  • kerfuffle on 11/11/2022 - 17:58
    +13

    But, doesn't it just make it slower/harder to park the car?

    Only for you since you can't reverse park it seems.

    • GrueHunter on 11/11/2022 - 21:10
      -6

      Says the guy who can’t reverse out of a spot

      • kerfuffle on 11/11/2022 - 21:28
        +1

        Where did I say I can't reverse out of a spot?

  • spackbace on 11/11/2022 - 18:08
    +10

    Try driving a FWD Magna, you'll learn to reverse park in no time!

    • Morien on 11/11/2022 - 18:12

      Is this why I know how to reverse park? How about that.

    • Windows98 on 11/11/2022 - 18:56
      +1

      Fkn lol. The terrible turning circle and massive bonnet overhang.

    • ChickenTalon on 11/11/2022 - 22:16
      +2

      80 series land cruiser for me. No way that thing was going forward into any parking spot. Just not possible to park it properly within the confines of a parking spot without a 3 (or more) point turn. So I always learnt to reverse in.

    • Carlin on 12/11/2022 - 09:08

      Haha, that's true for me

  • herecomestheoost on 11/11/2022 - 18:08

    :D

  • Morien on 11/11/2022 - 18:12
    +7

    I'm reversing into an empty spot when I park. As I leave, I'd be reversing into a thoroughfare.

    Also, easier to see people coming when driving out.

  • trapper on 11/11/2022 - 18:25
    +2

    A lot of modern cars have reverse parking cameras which make reversing in actually easier than going in forwards.

    Also if you hit another car while reversing out of a park it will almost always be determined that you are at fault. So is better to come out forwards.

    • Tleyx on 14/11/2022 - 10:18

      You still have to give way going forward out of a spot

  • bdl on 11/11/2022 - 18:32
    +2

    I've found that Melbourne drivers seem to prefer forward-driving into parks - no idea why?! Something I noticed after moving here.

    • 87percent on 11/11/2022 - 21:26
      +1

      What? No way. Most people i think reverse park in

    • ForkSnorter on 12/11/2022 - 06:49
      -4

      Because they’re intelligent.

  • ihfree on 11/11/2022 - 18:34

    Easier, faster, safer, better visibility when leaving.

    Another one is that it reduces the chances of reversing into someone when leaving (where I assume a lot of accidents occur), but again, isn't there still that risk when completing the initial park?

    More chance of the other driver being at fault if there is a collision when parking. Cars are much more likely to stop and wait for a car that is reverse parking compared to one that is leaving.

  • zeoko on 11/11/2022 - 18:44
    +2

    It was a rule by my employer in NSW to reverse park in the office car park. They said it's a WHS precaution. In case of an emergency, it's much faster to get out.

  • Windows98 on 11/11/2022 - 18:52
    +10
    • It's actually much easier to reverse into a spot if there are obstacles on either side due to the way the front wheels can angle the car.
    • It's safer to exit the spot because you can see pedestrians/kids in front of you
    • Easier to see cars approaching from the sides as you exit.
    • Some companies make it compulsive for employees with a fleet car to reverse park because of the safety benefits to reduce insurance claims

    I've been reverse parking since into car spots and the garage since I got my License. I actually find it a little difficult to park front first.

  • Hydralyte on 11/11/2022 - 18:56
    +1

    Because my car has a reverse camera, not a front camera.

    Not even jking. I like using the camera and easy to leave.

  • excusemesir on 11/11/2022 - 19:17

    I do it because there is naturally a lower chance of someone being in the parking spot and potentially causing injury compared to when reversing out of the spot.

  • The Value on 11/11/2022 - 19:23
    +3

    But, doesn't it just make it slower/harder to park the car?

    But it's not harder. It's exactly the same difficult. You should be able to reverse park as well as you forward park.

    It's safer to leave. When you arrive at the parking spot, you are able to get a good view of all the hazards before you reverse in. When you leave, via reversing, it's harder to determine all the hazards when you are flanked by 2 other vehicles.

  • nomoneynoproblems on 11/11/2022 - 19:37
    +1

    Most cars these days have a turning circle no better than an aircraft carrier. You need to swing in across 2 lanes just to get in first go. Ain’t no way I’m reversing out and doing multiple attempts just to get the nose in first 😂

  • Al09 on 11/11/2022 - 19:38
    +1

    Its easier to reverse in for me if you have a big car… IMO

  • pharkurnell on 11/11/2022 - 19:39
    +9

    But, doesn't it just make it slower/harder to park the car?

    Not if you can drive

    The question is why DONT people reverse park…

  • Murkymerv on 11/11/2022 - 19:40
    +4

    Holy shit , had to scroll through a Bible's worth of comments just to say it's so much easier to reverse park . Try it both ways , guarantee reverse is better !

  • mrjames on 11/11/2022 - 20:14
    +2

    I find it so much easier to reverse park, not only that, it's far safer especially if your visibility is reduced by a neighbouring car.

  • suchan on 11/11/2022 - 20:34
    +7

    I feel that OP needs to add one more option, "so I can park my car in a straight line"

    There are way too many forward parkers who simply don't know how to park in a straight line. They simply drive in arbitrary angle, got out of the car and leave. It's harder for adjacent cars to park / open doors, etc

    • TooSerious2 on 11/11/2022 - 23:17
      +1

      So you've met/parked next to my wife?

    • jzdhgkd on 13/11/2022 - 14:59

      Ha! This is me. I find it infinitely easier to reverse park and line it up with the help of mirrors. For some reason I always end up slightly askew when I park forward first.

      • suchan on 16/11/2022 - 09:41

        ikr.

        The other reason for wanting to park straight might be just OCD (like me)

  • Otto-Mann on 11/11/2022 - 20:48
    +6

    Because you are reversing into a static environment. Generally there's nothing there that will move into your car.

    When you exit the car park, it isn't a static environment, so you want to have full vision of all obstacles and potential hazards, which isn't ideal in a limited reversing camera or rear view mirror.

  • lainey13 on 11/11/2022 - 21:16

    When I have a pram, I want to park the pram for a bit while I put the kid in the car. I would prefer to park the pram between two cars, rather than car + road.

  • jaimex2 on 11/11/2022 - 21:19

    If you have a long vehicle it's easier to park into a spot from a tight corridor.

    It's faster and safer to leave, if you have a van next to you - you are blind to passing traffic.

    I can see with the reverse camera where the end of my vehicle is to where the lines are.

  • lalala1111 on 11/11/2022 - 21:23
    +1

    Honestly, forward parking scares me (probably because I don't do it enough) so I only reverse park lol.

    So much easier when I have the mirrors and reverse camera to help me

  • May4th on 11/11/2022 - 21:23
    +1

    it's a controlled environment when you are reversing in - you aren't in a rush. you know the environment around you to assess what the best option is to enter. when you exit it's not a controlled environment as you don't know whether you need to leave quickly or how busy/tight spaces are.

  • Thinkswithelbow on 11/11/2022 - 21:26

    Park reverse most times as it's easier.
    Park forward when I need access to boot ie Bunnings

  • macfudd on 11/11/2022 - 21:30

    Drive in forwards. Drive out forwards.

  • roundnumbersonly on 11/11/2022 - 21:31

    I see this all the time at Sunnybank plaza. They take freaking ages to park.

  • simplystu on 11/11/2022 - 21:32
    +1

    My work has always done this (a major transport company) … they enforce it, not only for yard/trailer/truck side but also for the main employee carpark - reverse park in (they have signs up advising this).

    This has ALWAYS been the rule for 15+ years at my work. I also understand that many mine sites up north have similar policies. And mine site practices then tend to flow down to general civilisation.

    I think it comes down to, when leaving … it makes it easier to see - blind spots/etc

    When you've got a semi trailer, reversing INTO … you already know your surroundings … so less issues.
    but if reversing OUT of a spot, you have no clue as to what is on either side.

    That's my thoughts on this.

    [EDIT] … Lastly …
    with many modern sedan cars, they have a lower front end + higher back end.

    If you forward park - you risk damaging/scraping the front bumper on any curb infront of you.
    IF you reverse park - will find that that back end easily sits over any curb with heaps of clearance.

  • Domingo on 11/11/2022 - 21:35

    In addition to comments made many times, people are generally more alert when reverse parking because it is a less common way of driving - most of the time behind the wheel is going forward.

    So during reverse parking you are more alert than you might otherwise be, further reducing the likelihood of an accident

  • us3rnam3tak3n on 11/11/2022 - 21:38
    +3

    The car is more manoeuvrable reversing in, especially into a narrow bay. You're backing into a static situation behind you rather that backing out into moving cars and pedestrians. Generally you have to back in or out so it's usually unavoidable. It's faster to leave and that's more likely to be when you're rushing.

  • shesaidshewas18 on 11/11/2022 - 21:40
    +1

    Reverse park. Easier to jump start a flat battery

    • THICKnSLOW on 11/11/2022 - 23:11

      Maybe check that your headlights are turned off before locking your car.

      • Tleyx on 14/11/2022 - 10:21

        You can have battery drain from lots of things other than headlights

  • Homr on 11/11/2022 - 21:47

    Somewhat related, I cannot parallel park to save my life, any tips on how I can improve?

    • Mike88 on 11/11/2022 - 21:55

      Practise it, just use a couple of obstacles on a quiet road to avoid getting stressed about it. Probably a heap of videos on youtube too.

      • Homr on 11/11/2022 - 21:58

        I've got this fear if someone is behind me waiting for me to maneuver a parallel park and holding up traffic, I get spooked and just drive off

        • Euphemistic on 11/11/2022 - 22:13

          Practice. Maybe look for some tips online.

          I struggled to teach my kid how to do it. Then after a free lesson with an instructor and me in the car, the instructor gave us a few simple steps to do and it worked every time. Unfortunately I’ve been doing it so long that I’ve already forgotten most of the steps.

          Something like
          1. Line up mirrors with the parked car.
          2. Reverse until ‘the point’ which I can’t remember
          3. One full wheel turn to left
          4. Straighten out at 45 degrees
          5. One full turn to right when rear of car near kerb
          6. Straighten wheels when parallel to kerb.

    • mitt on 11/11/2022 - 22:48

      Get some traffic cones/cardboard boxes/whatever. Go to an empty parking lot on a weekend. Practice. Bring someone along for help/mockery.

      Learning the turning capabilities of your particular car at max lock & its dimensions/clearances is also a really handy thing.

      When I first got a motorbike I spent two weekends manoeuvring at below walking pace in an empty car park. Also tested the brakes/the threshold the tyres locked up at. Most valuable time I ever spent riding.

      • Homr on 11/11/2022 - 22:49
        +1

        I'm in Sydney, there is no empty parking lot lol

        • mitt on 11/11/2022 - 22:54
          +1

          No shitty suburban parks with carparks nobody uses? Stadium carparks when there are no events on? I found quite a few in Brisbane when living within 10 min drive of the cbd.

          Google maps is handy for this. Look for parks/rec areas nearby you never knew existed until you went looking on maps. The kind of parks where councils dont know what to do with that patch of dirt so they make it a "park" without adding any facilities beyond some car parking.

          Chances are most people dont know about it either.

    • snoopster on 14/11/2022 - 17:37

      Since I taught myself reverse parking, I got really good at parallel parking as well. There were many more opportunities to practice reverse parking than parallel. It's a similar flow of reversing into a spot.

      But in general, try to fall into a consistent routine when turning the steering wheel and moving the car into a spot. This is what I follow and it feels natural:

      • judge the spot as you drive by, make sure your car can physically fit. Add 1 metre on front + back of your car for a comfortable fit (if there are painted lines this is usually already the case)
      • pull up parallel next to the car parked in front. For distance, think of two open car doors (normally open, not wide) not touching each other. move straight back parallel for a bit until comfortable to go to next step
      • move the rear of the car into the spot at a 45 degree angle (don't let your front right side hit oncoming while doing this)
      • turn/'cut' the steering wheel to tuck the car in. During this motion your front left side will pass by the back right of the car parked in front. The trigger to start this motion is when you have enough room on your front left to start it.
      • slight motion forwards with a little turn to left to correct.
      • Bonus: tight spot, then zig zag a million times.
  • Low Battery on 11/11/2022 - 22:00
    +1

    Because it's easier to see when coming out of the bay, especially when you've got SUV's parked next to you.

  • ribze1 on 11/11/2022 - 22:01
    +2

    Easier to park. Only your front wheels turn so it's easier to park when you reverse park.

  • WreckTangle on 11/11/2022 - 22:12
    -5

    I hate it because it holds up traffic at train stations etc in the mornings, its so inconsiderate.

    • Euphemistic on 11/11/2022 - 22:14
      +5

      I hate it when people reversing out hold up traffic at the train stations etc in the afternoons. It’s so inconsiderate.

      • WreckTangle on 11/11/2022 - 22:15
        -1

        Yeah but in the mornings people are racing to catch trains. Not so much in the afternoon.

        • THICKnSLOW on 11/11/2022 - 23:09
          +1

          Not so much in the afternoon, after hitting the beers it's good to take it slowly going home.

        • smartazz104 on 12/11/2022 - 10:48

          So a bunch of idiots have left at the same time to catch the same train that’s leaving right now? Next time leave earlier.

    • Yukari Yakumo on 11/11/2022 - 22:48
      +4

      Why does your convenience have priority over my safety?

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