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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask why people don’t reverse in?

430 replies

Divorcedalongtime · 25/03/2023 22:16

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
xogossipgirlxo · 27/03/2023 14:58

I don't do it when I have big shopping to load, that's why.

strawberry2017 · 27/03/2023 15:04

I hate driving in so always reverse park when I can.
My spacial awareness when driving isn't the best and for some reason reversing it's the one I manage best'

WhenDovesFly · 27/03/2023 16:18

The ones saying access to the boot is not a good enough excuse are obviously not 60+yr olds with osteoarthritis, or mums with prams that can't fit between the gap between two cars, even when folded. The fact supermarket spaces haven't increased in size, but people are driving bigger and bigger cars doesn't help the space issue.

My driveway is on a long busy main road and other drivers are up your arse and blocking you before you can reverse in, so again I choose to drive in. When I'm reversing out I pull out only on to the pavement to begin with (having checked carefully for pedestrians first). It's a long road, and neighbours all have low walls that don't obstruct the view down the road, so no issues seeing what's coming.

Reversing is only dangerous if you're not observant and don't use your eyes and mirrors enough. This is a "marmite" topic though, and some people don't want to understand the opposing preference, despite there being valid reasons given.

loislovesstewie · 27/03/2023 16:35

And if your car beeps at you if solid objects are too close does it matter?

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 27/03/2023 17:44

Personally, I always reverse in to everywhere. In the supermarket, I reverse up to the path, so it’s perfect to unload from the trolley into the boot, without going anywhere near other cars. I reverse into my garage - just so much easier to do as you have your door mirrors to judge the gap between the door frames. Reversing into any space is much much easier than driving in, especially if you have a big car, and safer when leaving your space.

youshouldnthaveasked · 27/03/2023 17:45

Because no one needs to see me struggling to reverse in

Namechange828492 · 27/03/2023 17:54

I find it SO much easier to reverse in, i HATE driving in/reversing out so always reverse in, even at the supermarket. Esp as small kids are always running around in the car park

TheOriginalEmu · 27/03/2023 17:55

Because I don’t like reversing into spaces. And I can get out just fine.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 27/03/2023 17:59

Treeabovethefire · 25/03/2023 22:23

I agree with you op. The amount of kids that get hit by cars reversing out of driveways across pavements in the morning is unreal. But god forbid drivers have to go through the awkwardness of unloading prams and shopping and feeling safer reversing out, even though they’re risking lives. I may be wrong (and I’m sure I’ll get immediately corrected if I am), but I thought it was the law to reverse into driveways and drive forwards out.

But you have to either reverse in or out - and you could just as easily hit somebody either way if not paying due care and attention.
I sometimes drive into a space on the high street if the space is big enough to straighten up - usually if there is a lot of traffic behind me, to keep the traffic flowing. Each situation will be the drivers decision based on many factors.

PetuniaT · 27/03/2023 18:04

The boot is at the back! If you reverse in and it's double ranks someone is bound to park right behind you so you can't get your shopping in.

"it makes zero sense"

Elaina87 · 27/03/2023 18:07

Is it actually safer? Didn't know that. Takes me longer to reverse in than reverse out. I find it bizarre you've paid this much attention to it 😂

Chickenwing2 · 27/03/2023 18:10

Confused as I find it far easier to drive in & reverse out Confused

Weald56 · 27/03/2023 18:12

Our car has a boot at the boot, so I park forwards as it makes it easier (or possible) to put anything we've bought in the boot. If we are not buying anything/using the boot, I usually reverse in. Doesn't everyone adapt to the needs of the situation?

midgemadgemodge · 27/03/2023 18:25

Chickenwing2 · 27/03/2023 18:10

Confused as I find it far easier to drive in & reverse out Confused

It may be easier but I think it's recommended to do the other way around as it's safer as you tend to come out towards traffic and people

I almost always reverse except at the supermarket where I want to get stuff from the trolley to the boot

milveycrohn · 27/03/2023 18:27

But if you reverse in, then it is impossile to put shopping, or large items in the boot of the car.

PrtScn · 27/03/2023 18:32

I always reverse in, even when shopping. If you park as far forwards in your space as you can, unless the driver behind is a complete dick and overhangs your space, you can get into the boot.
I'm psychologically incapable of driving into a space, I just can't deal with it 😂

midgemadgemodge · 27/03/2023 18:32

How do you get your trolley down the side of the car to the boot?

JustBeKinder · 27/03/2023 18:38

I’m very happy reversing and a confident driver but I would never reverse into a supermarket space if I was doing a big shop because frankly there isn’t enough space to manoeuvre the shopping trolley to the boot

mandlerparr · 27/03/2023 18:41

People claim it is safer to pull out and I agree in many cases it is, especially from a driveway.
But, personally, I have a larger view backing out of parking spaces than I do when pulling out forward. This is because not only do I have mirrors and side and back window to look out of, I also have lights that are telling others that I am backing out. When pulling out, I simply cannot see as well as backing out in a packed parking lot.
But, yeah, I would 100% rather pull forward from a driveway than back out. Especially when busy.
The only reason backing out is dangerous is because people don't look or they only look once and then they gun it. You have to go slowly and you have to keep looking around. And you have to listen, which means turning radio down all the way. Many a time I have heard a kid coming before I saw them.

Hellsmovie · 27/03/2023 18:42

PrtScn · 27/03/2023 18:32

I always reverse in, even when shopping. If you park as far forwards in your space as you can, unless the driver behind is a complete dick and overhangs your space, you can get into the boot.
I'm psychologically incapable of driving into a space, I just can't deal with it 😂

Same here, I feel dirty if I absolutely have to drive in forward

Harls1969 · 27/03/2023 18:42

Funnily enough OP I was only just thinking this the other day. I totally get that at the supermarket it's easier to drive forward into a space to allow for easier boot access. But in a pub car park - surely you'd reverse in rather than taking 10 attempts at trying to get your car in nose first?

ididntwanttodoit · 27/03/2023 18:43
  1. It is easier ti drive into a small space and reverse into a large one.
  2. driving in doesn't hold up all the traffic behind you (thinking about parking at work in the morning).
  3. Most cars now have rear sensors - you can hear if anyone is walking behind you as well as see them if you look in the mirror.
  4. easier to load your shopping in rear of car if you have driven in
Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 27/03/2023 18:44

This is a "marmite" topic though, and some people don't want to understand the opposing preference, despite there being valid reasons given.

True. But it seems to be the people who always reverse who care about it more. The rest of us are pretty much of the view each to their own.

museumum · 27/03/2023 18:45

I would always prefer to reverse in but usually there’s a car driving behind me up my arse who won’t pause for 20 seconds to let me reverse!

Blossomtoes · 27/03/2023 18:46

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 27/03/2023 18:44

This is a "marmite" topic though, and some people don't want to understand the opposing preference, despite there being valid reasons given.

True. But it seems to be the people who always reverse who care about it more. The rest of us are pretty much of the view each to their own.

It’s true. My dream parking space has another empty one in front of it so I can drive forwards in and out.