Why do people back into their parking spot?

Question

Why do they insist on holding everyone up so that they can turn their car around and pull in backwards? I have now made it a point to steal any parking space when someone attempts to pull in backwards. It is hilarious. If you are one of these backwards people, please explain.

Answer 1

In a parking lot situation, it's just plain stupid unless it's a nose-to-nose row where you can pull through so you're resting with nose out. More often than not, you'll have to make a U-turn pulling out because the rows are one-way and you'll p**s off everyone coming up the row too.

But one reason is most of the parking lot fender benders are from people backing out and are too G.D. lazy to look over their shoulder, they drive by their mirrors, and wind up bumping someone doing the same thing from the other side of the row. If you're nose-out you can see who's coming.

In a non-parking lot situation, backing in makes it easier to unload the truck bed, and it always helps to start your day off in the right direction.

Answer 2

Because it's just their preferred habit of parking. These people just do what they are comfortable with. There's a law in Calif. that people shouldn't do this. "All vehicles should be parked heading into a stall, face forward."

Answer 3

Some large football-player-sized human being is going to drag you out and thump you upside the head for your childish behaviour.  That would be hilarious to watch, I hope I am there to see it.

When leaving a parking space, it is far safer to drive out forward, as you have a better view of oncoming vehicles, and people walking, especially children.  You are being ignorant and deliberately interfering with people who are trying to be safe.  

The last time somebody tried to steal a space from me, by the way, he ran into my car, there were lots of witnesses, and he caused $3,000 damage, which he had to pay.

Answer 4

It's easier to pull out when facing outwards.

Answer 5

MOST people who do this, do it so when they are exiting is is easier and quicker to get out.  I don't understand the justification either, but I asked a couple friends who do it and that is what they told me.  To me, I'm just anxious to get a parking and I pull in the quickest and easiest way, frontward.

Answer 6

It doesn't really bother me. But I am such a bad parker there is no way I could even manage to back into a spot without hitting someone! It doesn't make sense to me though, if you are going to be reversing eventually, why not just do it on the way out?

Answer 7

Maybe they have a parking violation on record, they want to hide their plate. (Front plates can be logos in some states)

Answer 8

haha i hate that! either way you're going to eventually back up whether it's backing up into your driveway or backing out of it. might as well just back out of it like everyone else does!

Answer 9

I don't know but it's annoying.

Answer 10

haha i would hit you if you did that to me. i do it so i dont have to reverse when im leaving the spot.

Answer 11

It is safer to reverse into a parking space and drive out forwards. You can see pedestrians and other vehicles. I drive a Transit van, if you nipped in a parking bay I was reversing into, rest assured that my vehicle would be parked ON TOP of yours, and a large boot would be embedded in your wedding tackle with considerable force.

Answer 12

let me educate you then... for one, your car handles better in reverse when maneuvering into a parking spot... it's a required technique in evasive driving and high profile security, everything you do must be with the thought of making a swift exit in the event a crisis presents itself... I know not everyone does that type of job, but you do not know what the reason the person is parking in reverse for, they may even be doing it because they want to.. Doesn't matter, it's their right...and I don't think you would take a spot I was clearly trying to park in...

I don't usually have problems like that...

Answer 13

I'm one of those people who back in because it's more likely that you'll hit somebody when backing out.  I don't know about the laws in the US but, in Canada, the person in reverse is 100% at fault if they get hit ot hit someone else.   With regards to getting annoyed at the person who's backing in...you've never done anything that made the person behind you have to wait?  It's all relative my friend...what goes around, comes around...

Answer 14

I don't hold anyone up when parking backwards, because I find parking backwards a lot easier and quicker than parking forwards.  

I don't hold anyone up leaving the space either, since I can easily see cars and pedestrians coming I can pull straight out safely.

The exception is when I have shopping. When I need space at the back to load or unload, I'll park whichever way round I need to.

Answer 15

In Arizona it is because of wherever the sun is.

You back in to keep the sun off the dash and steering wheel, they get around 200 degrees in the summer time.