Did I have enough space to reverse

[YourJadeSquid]

Big white van was parked where the green dots are. I was parked where the red dots were.

I was trying to reverse but I couldn't. Van driver moved a little but then said I had enough room to get out. I honestly don't know if I'm just a bad driver or I needed that much space. He ended up moving and I got out.

Loads of space.

I’ve been driving since 1982. I’ve tried it. I prefer the opposite - mainly because people reversing in and holding me up piss me off while people reversing out wait until it’s clear so don’t inconvenience anyone else. And if your car manoeuvrability is a bit off it’s easier to reverse out where the precise position of your rear end doesn’t matter so much. I can reverse in. I prefer not to.

Easier to see where you’re going to drive out as chances are when you’re reversing you have more space than you think but it doesn’t seem like it to you . I do this all the time , I think I’m really close to a car and when I get out there is loads of space behind me!

I don’t reverse park though 🤣

By the look of the picture , if he was parked just where the green dots are - not off the kerb and into the road - then definitely more than enough space , because if he wasn’t there then you likely wouldn’t go up the kerb when reversing. If he was in the road that’s different .

I think the fact that you are asking that probably answers your question! I sympathise as I am a useless reverse parker so don't usually but yes it would be a lot easier to drive out. To answer your original question though, if the van was nearly all on the pavement yes the photo would suggest you had loads of room and I say that as someone with poor spatial awareness and who consequently drives a Fiat 500. But, it doesn't matter does it, being able to get in and out of parking spaces or not is not a moral failing!

It's easier to get out forwards. But then you have to reverse in which takes me ages. Horses for courses.

Sensible drivers always reverse into parking spaces because it is always easier to maneuver out forwards rather than backwards. Unconfident drivers who shouldn't really be on the roads prefer to go into a space forwards and hope that nothing will happen to make skilful manoeuvring or a clear view necessary
This is utter bollocks. I’m a good and confident driver. My experience of driving since 1982 (no accidents) has led me to prefer going in forwards - and for some things (eg supermarket or IKEA trip) it’s essential. Dont be so superior and condescending

theres a two way road behind your space so yes room to get out

It's easier to reverse into a space than drive in. Easier to drive out of a space than reverse out.

Don't rely on your sensors - they're not infallible.

@cardibach , Don't be so superior and condescending. Pot calling the kettle black.

Surely it's the same amount of space as any road with parking spaces on both sides? Or a wall or whatever on the opposite side. It looks like absolutely ample room.

My husband and I have just watched in disbelief at the supermarket as a man reversed into the space next to us at a glacial pace, despite having an empty bay on the other side of it. It took so many adjustments for him to get it. A lady then tried to swing forward into one of the two spaces behind us, drove pretty much down the line separating the two spaces then gave up and drove off. I don't think I'm a perfect driver by any means but in demonstrating that level of difficulty parking, I really question if both should have been on the road at all.

I would win ‘shit parker of the year award’, only to be eclipsed by my DD who would take out ‘mega shit parker of the century’ award. From the diagram provided we could both get out of that spot.

PS - I have been known, not uncommon, when driving, to get DH or DS’s or friends to swap and take over the driving seat for parking in/out purposes, or to navigate the tight up/down ramps in parking stations. Not proud of that, but is what it is.

There is plenty of space.

I suspect that you only like reversing in straight lines rather than turning while reversing. You would even be asking about the van if that wasn't the case.

Yes, it's far better reverse into a space that out of one. It gives you a better opportunity to see where you are going and you also have more control as a result.

The van isn't the problem here.

Totally off the point of the reverse park/forward park is there/isn't there enough room......?

Why was the Van parked there ?
It wasn't a space , it's a pavement .
If he ( Van Driver) scoffed at me for not being able to get out of a space I'd think "Yeah , cheers but I'd sooner not take driving tips from someone who cannot tell the difference between a Parking Bay and a Pavement"

With some muttering under my breath for good measure .

Easier from a physical position as you are whole body ia facing the way you want to go.

And yes it may be a 100 point turn but if you could use both doors you would have gotten out once you have enough room to pull out to about the mid point of your car.

I’m going against the grain here because I’d say no. If the van wasn’t in a proper parking bay and was overhanging the kerb into the road then it’s likely there wasn’t space to safely reverse out, especially if there were cars parked each side of you, so you’d need to move quite far out into the road before turning.

And it wouldn’t make any difference if you’d reversed in - you just would have been more comfortable without having to twist your neck all angles before coming to the conclusion that no, you don’t have enough space.

Yes.

Lolz far more space to swing round tho. If you can't fathom that it kinda explains why you didn't have the skills to reverse out.

Was this you OP?

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C97YTu5J9/

Reeversing is actually easier because you are using your front wheels to steer so the front end can swing out as you reverse in and not cause any damage. You can use your mirrors as well to judge the distance from the cars either side which you can't driving in forward. Reversing out you need to reverse further out before you start steering as your wing will swing out and damage the car next to you. Driving forwards you can start to steer earlier so need less space plus of course the safety aspect that you have clear and visibility of passing pedestrians and cars. It's simple...it's easier and safer.

Any time I see some say this.. it just shows that generally they aren’t a confident driver, and don’t get that reverse parking is generally safer, unless of course you need boot access.

to answer your question it does look like you should have enough room to reverse or drive out though… unless you have an extra long car?

You do realise you’ve set a very high bar for parking diagrams now! Nothing less will suffice…

No
the green dots are not a space, it’s a thin wedge, so the big white van must have taken up most of the road too so that traffic on the road would have to move over to the other side of the road to get around the van.
it’s not a you problem, it’s a him problem.

I could be wrong but I think if you were hit whilst reversing out of a bay, you'd automatically be at fault, regardless of any other circumstances. They teach you to reverse into a bay and test it during the driving test for good reason.

Absolutely plenty of space to reverse out given the image you've shared. Why have you added 3 red dots for where you were? Had you parked over multiple bays?

There’s more space there than I have every day to get in and out of my driveway, with cars parked opposite on a fairly narrow road. I’ve got a small van and manage perfectly well, just takes a bit of forwards and backwards manoeuvre.

Looks enough space, even if you had to do 3 point turn forward and back type manoeuvres to do so

There’s a reason every car in that photo has reversed into a space. However, it looks like loads of room to reverse out.