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Original poster

Reverse parking v driving in forwards

137 replies

HalloumiHannah · 19/12/2020 12:08

I suppose this is more of an AIBU. I’ve just been to Aldi. Busy carpark, lots of people walking/pushing trolleys around going in to Aldi or the other shops in the retail park. And lots of people reversing their cars out of parking spaces into the carpark, having to slam brakes on to avoid people are milling about, struggling to get the angle right to pull away. This then causes congestion as other cars approach. People taking 2 or 3 attempts to turn the wheel to get into the space into the first place.

Why on earth don’t more people reverse into parking spaces? That way, you’re going backwards into an area with fewer pedestrians, and you have a much clearer view when driving away. I really don’t understand it! Surely it’s so much safer to reverse in and drive out? My elderly neighbour was almost caught by a car last week that started backing out of a space without looking (there was no other path for her to walk on), if that driver had reversed in he would have seen her straight away.

OP posts:
Samcro · 19/12/2020 12:24

@PuppyMonkey

They do it so they can access their boot more easily.

End of thread.Grin

that
JonHammIsMyJamm · 19/12/2020 12:24

As others have said, I drive into spaces in supermarkets for easy boot access to load the shopping.

I have a reversing camera and beeps on my car (well as using mirrors and observation), so no worries re reversing safely. Prior to the days of reversing aids, I didn’t have any issues either, I just looked and reversed slowly and carefully (I still do go slowly & carefully!!).

Topseyt · 19/12/2020 12:24

I will only reverse park if I can guarantee to have enough space around to wheel my trolley up to the boot for easy access.

I forward park for that reason at the supermarket, and I park in one of the lesser used spaces further from the store. Not right near the entrance, which is where you really do tend to get a large number of people milling about.

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Driving & parking
TheCrowsHaveEyes · 19/12/2020 12:25

It also depends if it's busy. If it is and the traffic is queuing then the issue is that you need to drive past the space to reverse park. Often the driver behind will either drive so close to you that you can't reverse or they drive into the space because you've pulled past it.
Also, what may look 'dangerous' to you probably isn't in actuality. Most drivers are very adept at reversing out of parking spaces.

Petitmum · 19/12/2020 12:25

I live on a main road and only ever reverse onto my drive, I'm good at it! In most supermarkets though I will drive in so that I can load the shopping into the boot.

Livefortherain · 19/12/2020 12:26

My husband always reverse parks.

In a supermarket, he'll reverse so his boot is facing the pathway. No having to avoid cars or risk of hitting another car with the trolley. Then when it's time to go, he can just drive off!

Grellbunt · 19/12/2020 12:26

I prefer reversing into a space because then I have the beepers at the back to help.

Supermarkt shopping I always get delivered.

Comefromaway · 19/12/2020 12:26

I would never reverse into a supermarket car park as I would not be able to access my boot.

whatswithtodaytoday · 19/12/2020 12:26

I don't know how to. I passed my test almost 10 years ago, haven't bothered since then, and now I have no idea how to do it. I know I should practise but I have a million other things to do and it's not a priority.

Scottishskifun · 19/12/2020 12:27

A lot of people hate it and with the supermarket difficult to get trolley nearby for the boot.

I always reverse in as less likely to have a issue trying to get out and places where I work it's carpark policy so am used to it

Clymene · 19/12/2020 12:28

The car park in my Aldi is on a slope and there are no brakes on the trollies. I'm not sure how you load your boot if you've reversed in without the trolley wobbling off across the car park

murbblurb · 19/12/2020 12:28

I always reverse in, although am lucky enough to be able to shop at quiet times so can often drive through one space and into another if that makes sense.

If you are able bodied it is perfectly possible to load the boot if you have reversed in. If you have a fuckwit chunkwagon which is too wide for the space, you won't be able to get the trolley down the side, but you can get bags back and forth. More work but safer than flattening someone.

I recognise that most new cars are fuckwit chunkwagons, fortunately I have a 10 year old car which is better designed.

SuperbGorgonzola · 19/12/2020 12:30

I never reverse in in the supermarket as I need to load up my boot with shopping. It's not difficult to reverse out really slowly and be aware of your surroundings.

middleager · 19/12/2020 12:32

I reverse park in when I can. Even if it means packing the boot for four of us can be a PITA.

I often seem to get unfeasibly long/high cars next to me otherwise, and reversing out is tricky.

Hoppinggreen · 19/12/2020 12:33

I always reverse park and I am pretty good at it BUT at the supermarket I drive in to give easy access to the boot

MangoM · 19/12/2020 12:35

I always reverse in. I actually find it easier than going in forwards as at my old workplace everyone was told they had to reverse park as it's safer to drive out forwards (Security would be on your case immediately if you didn't).

DH and I still have plenty of arguments about this. He's firmly in the camp of 'you can't access the boot'!

Taylrse · 19/12/2020 12:36

I often reverse park because I think it's good to practice and it's easier to see when leaving. I actually find it easier.
The only time I scraped another car was when I swung forward into a space!

However if you have a trolley full of food then you can't always get to the boot once you've reversed in

RosesAndHellebores · 19/12/2020 12:36

OP if you can't reverse park, how do you manage to park on an ordinary road? Ah, perhaps you have never lived in London.

It's just a skill that has to be mastered. When I first moved to London 40 years ago I quickly learnt because if you didn't you simply wouldn't have been able to park anywhere.

midnightstar66 · 19/12/2020 12:36

I find it takes people longer to back in to a tight space than to back out on to the open so more congestion with people waiting. Plus the obvious boot access issue. People need to be more vigilant if they are milling about behind cars!

wonkylegs · 19/12/2020 12:39

If you reverse park in our supermarket then there is no access to the boot of your car which is a bit of waste of time when doing a full shop.
I pointed this out to DH who was being a smug arse about me parking our new car which is quite difficult to park forwards but easy peasy to reverse park (crap turning circle, big car plus really good reversing camera)
He always reverse parks it when he takes it to work but that's because it literally just carries hims so he doesn't have to think about the boot, kids etc.
It's my car but he's decided he likes it quite a lot so it seems to go with him more since I've been generally working from home and I get left with his.

midnightstar66 · 19/12/2020 12:39

OP if you can't reverse park, how do you manage to park on an ordinary road? Ah, perhaps you have never lived in London.

It's a different manoeuvre to parallel park on a street than to reverse in to a tight car park space.

Wellthisismorethanabitgrim · 19/12/2020 12:42

Been driving 30 years. I can either drive into a space easily and reverse out easily, or I can spend multiple goes and 10 minutes trying to reverse in and stay straight, while everyone around me gets more and more annoyed at me. I'm just crap at reverse parking, so I don't do it. Plus it's much easier to just walk my trolley up to the boot and load it, rather than carry the shopping around to the boot, when often someone has parked too close as well!

Comefromaway · 19/12/2020 12:42

@Livefortherain

My husband always reverse parks.

In a supermarket, he'll reverse so his boot is facing the pathway. No having to avoid cars or risk of hitting another car with the trolley. Then when it's time to go, he can just drive off!

In all the supermarket car parks I visit there is no pathway. If you reverse in your boot will be right up against the car behind you.
Sixtonskip · 19/12/2020 12:46

I prefer to reverse in but nowadays I have to drive in so I can get the pram out of the boot.

Billben · 19/12/2020 12:46

I never go in front first and always reverse park into all parking spaces. We had to do it at my DD’s school as it was safer for the children and I just got used to it.