to ask why people don’t reverse in?

[Divorcedalongtime]

to parking spaces…
i know the safest is to reverse in and
drive out, so why do 95% of all cars drive in?
every time I go shopping I see cars desperately trying to get out of their parking bay with cars and walkers going past, whilst if they had reversed in they would get out so easily.

it makes zero sense.

DH used to smugly tell me I was an idiot for going forwards into parking spaces
I then sent him into town with baby and buggy on his own where he quickly realised that he couldn't get the buggy out of the boot that way. He no longer questions me.
When I don't need access to the boot I do reverse in unless I need to charge the car (charge point at the front)
I used to be brilliant at parallel parking & could get in tiny spaces but then we moved away from our terrace house and I got out of practice.
So generally circumstances dictate how I park.

Luckily, you are allowed to choose how you drive in and out of a parking space.

Whatever you do, somebody will be annoyed - you are either taking a long time to reverse into a space, or you are driving in forwards and causing danger to pedestrians when reversing out.

Personally, I don't care what you do. Make your choice based on your confidence/skill when reversing, the road conditions, the purpose of your visit and so on.

The most irritating people imo are those so determined that they are right, so enraged that others might make a different choice, so belligerent and rigid in their thinking that they are incapable or unwilling to imagine for one minute that other people have different experiences and needs.

Plenty of reasons to not reverse into a space. I have to judge whether I can open the boot for children to pop out every time. I'd much prefer reversing in but it's often not possible due to bollards. Good for you if you have that ease.

The Highway Code says that you should reverse into your driveway and drive out if you can. It isn't a must. It's a should, with a further qualifier.

Well, I guess it helps if you know what parallel parking actually IS for a start. 😆

Fair point, but it is possible for the vast majority of people. And there is a very good reason for that.

I always reverse in, it’s best practice to not reverse out into a car park. Easier though as my boot is at the front.

The most irritating people imo are those so determined that they are right, so enraged that others might make a different choice, so belligerent and rigid in their thinking that they are incapable or unwilling to imagine for one minute that other people have different experiences and needs.

Ha ha, yes this. The choice police 😂

I was hit by a car reversing off a driveway. It was an electric car so silent and they had tall bushes at the side of the driveway so I couldn't see him.

Luckily I was just bruised but he got nasty and said it was my fault for not looking but I was on the pavement and so had right of way.

I usually drive in unless there is lots of space to reverse in. If I drive in and there’s an empty space in front I drive into that so that I won’t have to reverse out.

What a weird take. You’re a bad driver if you reverse in?

Probably because a car is infinitely more manoeuvrable when you reverse into a space and a lot (around 1/5) of accidents happen in car parks.

It's also easier to run over pets and children so I'd take safety over convenience any day.

That's simply not true. Driving out of a space or driveway vastly reduces accidents. Reverse in and you give yourself much better visibility for leaving your space and reduce the chances of an accident.

I didn't learn to drive that long ago and it's taught as part of your lessons that reversing into a driveway or space prevents accidents.

Because if I reverse it, it would be difficult for me to put my shopping in the boot. I don't ever reverse in and never have a problem reversing out. You do you 🤷🏻‍♀️

Proponents of reversing out who claim they've never had a near miss are lying - I've had enough going forwards!

Actually the two times I've hit things were when I was reverse parking in a small church car park against a wall - the first time was a large terracotta pot the second a very low wall at an odd angle, both were out of range of my reversing camera.

The most irritating people imo are those so determined that they are right, so enraged that others might make a different choice, so belligerent and rigid in their thinking that they are incapable or unwilling to imagine for one minute that other people have different experiences and needs.

And this ^

I think it is a million times safer to reverse out in a supermarket.

drive in and access the boot for shopping

everyone with children reverses into the big parents and child spaces which have lots of room ? And are right next to the path

Rarely. But I just wait until it's clear. But at least I'm not holding up loads of other cars that way, just myself.

Since having a bigger car, I always reverse into a space, even at the supermarket. I find it easier than reversing out of a space tbh, especially if space is tight.

I’ve had instances when I’ve had to reverse out with two 4x4s either side of me, making it hazardous as you have a limited (or no) view when trying to reverse.

One of the supermarkets I go to does have a break mechanism on the trolly, so this makes life easier when trying to unpack the shopping.

Yes absolutely agree, back in easier to get out.

I am exactly the same and terrified of scraping another car trying to get in. But usually the issue doesn't arise as I tend to go shopping at less busy times when there's lots of space in the car park. I will always go for a space away from any other cars if possible, even if this means I'm further away from the supermarket.

I think the problem with the people reversing out is that because their view is so extremely limited they are oblivious to how many bear misses they are actually having.

I hope you mean near misses @Divorcedalongtime 😂

I've had this conversation several times with my OH as I like to reverse in or even better a drive through space! He says it's easier to drive in and reverse out as there is more space than reversing in between 2 cars.
I seem to have a mental block at the ability to do this but can reverse perfectly into the tightest of spaces 🤣 I also hate people waiting for your space and having to reverse out with little room!

I think the problem with the people reversing out is that because their view is so extremely limited they are oblivious to how many bear misses they are actually having.

But you could say that about people reversing in. I know of someone who reversed into a parking space and hit a trolley which then hit the car behind. Surely everyone reversing does it extremely carefully? I usually try to do the drive through thing in a car park but even if you're driving forwards, if you're between two 4 x 4s you will struggle to see properly before pulling out and need to edge carefully. Not really seeing the problem, I think it's a personal preference plus individual situation issue.

I reverse park everywhere expect at the supermarket as I need access to the boot to load the shopping bags from the trolley of course!!