To ask school to choose? (parking)

[Carpark1]

Aibu to ask my DD’s school to choose to alert that they must reverse park. There are no guidelines in the car park and I just feel like it’s mayhem. If we all reversed parked then it may be s bit more streamlined and time saving? Do you think they would find me weird for suggesting it ?😂😬

Older parents, like me, weren’t really instructed how to park and it wasn’t in the driving test. Loads of us over 50s aren’t great at it.

@howrudeforme rollicks! Older drivers are generally a darn sight better drivers than younger ones.

Older parents, like me, weren’t really instructed how to park and it wasn’t in the driving test. Loads of us over 50s aren’t great at it

Sorry but I don't agree. I'm in my 60s and have always been able to reverse park because I practised doing it.

In fact I can reverse park into a parking space on a road with inches spare front and back. All whilst cars are queued behind, I don't hang around, one attempt and done.

Gobsmacked at the number of people that can’t reverse park. How do people parallel park if they don’t reverse? Do you just drive in and hope for the best? Our school doesn’t have a car park. It has residential roads with parking bays which are max 1 hour stay unless permit holders. but we are forever being told to park further away and walk...none of the further away road have any parking its all permit only. We live a forty minute walk from the school and on mornings when I don’t have work we try to walk but still that’s nearly an hour and a half round trip for me to walk it and then the same in the afternoon. I wish they had like school shuttle buses or like a drive through drop off at the school.

But yeah reverse parking makes everything easier including the actual parking. I find it way easier to park when reversing.

Yeah well I wasn’t taught or examined on it. I never said older drivers are bad.I’m a fabulous driver - but cannot reverse park.

There you go.😆

Or how about asking everyone who drives how far away they actually live? I bet there are loads who are close enough to walk.

fannydango if the OP’s school isn’t like mine it really is possible that most people can’t walk. There are exactly 6 families that live within walking distance (what I would say was within 30 mins walk) at our rural school.

if the school IS like mine i mean!

In fact I can reverse park into a parking space on a road with inches spare front and back.

I think you mean you can parallel park.

@Fannydango I don’t think you understand the term “rural” 🙄 I don’t need to ask as I know just about everyone in the area. WE CANNOT WALK TO THE SCHOOL IT IS NOT SAFE! There are NO FOOTPATHS for one, the roads are rural winding roads. The village constitutes of the school, church, two cottages and a pub. The rest of the houses are sprawled around up to 5/6 miles away in every direction. Would you like me to draw you a picture???

Just remembered our local tips both have reverse park only. Do none of you non-reversers take rubbish to the tip, then?

My local tip / recycling centre has a system where you drive through and stop lengthways by the relevant skip. It’s set out a bit like a fast food drive-thru only for dropping off rubbish.
No actual parking of any sort required!

Carpark1 have you considered walking to school?

Oh, and did you remember to cancel the cheque?

[Sorry]

@Treaclesweet- you're not alone- I don't seem to be able to reverse park. I choose spots well away from everyone to ensure I don't have to try. Didn't realise it was a prerequisite to driving safely being able to park arse first.

I think you mean you can parallel park

SD1978, It's not just about reverse parking. It's about being able to reverse safely in any circumstances. That, to me, is a pre requisite of being on the road

Oh, and did you remember to cancel the cheque?

?? @NewSchoolNewName

I can't actually parallel park. I did it in my test (very slowly and the space was big enough for 10-15 cars) and never since (that was 5 years ago). However if I found myself in a situation where I needed to parallel park regularly I'd just learn. Either by practising by myself or booking some lessons in.

(Which is what I suggest people do if they can't reverse park - obviously you can get away without it but it's much safer to reverse in)

I can't reverse park either. Obviously I can if pushed as it's just driving backwards but I'd rather not, especially if people are waiting or watching.

I probably could reverse park if I really had to but I never do. It wasn't part of the test when I passed. The thought of doing it between two cars makes me break out in a cold sweat. I would honestly need to practice dozens of times in an empty car park before attempting it and even then it would probably take me ashes due to lack of confidence.

But to say people who can't reverse park shouldn't be driving is a bit OTT. I've been driving almost 20 years and seem to manage fine.

@Roussette- I could reverse down a road a bit in a straight line, it's the bending into a spot but I have an issue with. Crap spatial awareness, and to be honest, after many crap attempts I've given up. I've always just driven (a lot) further away to ensure I can park!

Good job you don't live where I do! I am reversing back down narrow winding roads a lot as there's lots of spots where two cars meet and someone has to do it!

This won't go down well I'm sure, but I honestly think those that can't do it, should just practice. I was useless when I started driving but knew I would have to do it... there's lots of times I have to reverse, particularly for parallel parking and reverse parking and back down country lanes and finding the nearest passing place.

I'd rather that those that can't do it... don't. It might be my car on one side and I like it unscratched!

The rear wheel steer is much more manoeuvrable than front wheel steer, this is why reversing into a space is much easier. Front wheel steer is more stable at speed. Drive normally forwards and do things in tight spaces in reverse.

This thread has further added fuel to my feelings that the learning to drive process needs to improve. It should involve a LWB van and a cycling element, along with getting in a 40ft artic to appreciate their blind spots. I also think there should be a minimum size for a test car of a standard saloon like a Passat or Mondeo so people can’t pass in a smart car and then go and buy a massive Range Rover and not be able to park it.

I always reverse parked where possible. Way more simple to get out. It shocked me when I moved to the Middle East and all parking is designed for nose-in! I hate it! Especially outside schools! I still reverse park on to my drive.

I 100% agree you should be able to park any which way. The found it a bit tricky to parallel park my new car in the Middle East. I practiced. I learned. It wasn’t easy but I am a competent driver and would not drive if I wasn’t safe.

The inability to reverse park is dangerous. Take extra lessons or get some practice.