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.

I hope you're joking.

There's no reason not to reverse into the parking spaces in your original photograph.

I'm surprised there's so many people being
smug keen to reverse park on a parenting forum. You've obviously all forgotten the ball ache of dragging a pushchair out of the boot while being screamed at by a grumpy baby!

I always reverse park as much as possible as there are less likely to be as many hazards reversing in to a space than reversing out of a space. But yes plenty of room kn the picture to reverse out.

My driving instructor's car had assisted parking with beeps.
I didn't get asked to reverse park in my driving test though.

It also had push button start and automatic headlights.
My car is a 16yr old Fiesta so no automatic or assisted anything! It took a lot of getting used to after learning in a fancy new car and I wanted to give up in the first few weeks when I kept stalling it, I felt like absolute shit and my confidence was zero. Maybe everyone should learn to drive in an old banger, it might help develop better driving skills 😆

I love my car now though.

ime it's best to assume everyone is actively trying to kill you and has never even heard of the highway code.

It's not 'uppity'. In most cases it's safer.

If those markings are standard road markings in car parks you had waaaaay more than enough room!!! Unless you are expecting to reverse directly out without having to pull forward and turn.....this situation is dependant on size of your car.

Do you not have to reverse to parallel park?

Also, you've marked 3 red dots, which space was you in?

AND for you who struggled to perform a simple manoeuvre.

Reversing in is not only easier all round but is SAFER.

the ‘uppity’ isn’t about parking choice, its
about overblown reactions to every day minor incidents. If a car is reversing and the manoeuvre is in progress, just let them finish. No need for drama.

This is why it is a "should" and not "must" in the Highway Code that no one has read.

For every minute you are behind the wheel of a car - stopped or not - it's on you to use your judgement, experience, training and common sense to ensure you and those around you are safe.

I realise that is probably too much for some. Luckily we don't have too many deaths on the roads in the UK, or something might be done.

Well, I very smuggly babywore. No buggy faff for me.

Yep. It definitely appears to be that way!

Your response to the replies does seem to suggest this is a you problem. From the picture there’s loads of space even if you just pull out straight.

You're absolutely right. Being able to drive your car properly is 'dramatic' and 'parking choice' definitely trumps silly old safety.

What was I thinking.

Do you indicate that you are pulling up to the left in this case, before you start to reverse? Hazards aren't needed and don't tell people what you are doing.

This is a great read. Highly recommend.

This is the reason you need to practice your reverse parking skills. Unless you need to put a chest of drawers in your boot 😂

Wow! I’m not sure what you are reading into what I wrote. Reversing out of a space is sometimes a necessity; it can be done safely. It doesn’t have to be a drama. It doesn’t mean you can’t drive a car properly. No one is disputing reverse is, drive out is recommended but life, and parking spaces and situations, isn’t always straightforward. I am not advocating being reckless. I am not sure how you have reached that conclusion?

I asked this ages ago and she hasn't enlightened us yet!

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Yes - there's loads of space to reverse out there.

And if you are not very confident reversing, it is definitely much easier (and safer) to reverse into a car parking space, than out of it. You should definitely work on your reverse parking skills, and always go in spaces backwards unless it means you can't load your boot and you'll need to. I actually find it much easier to reverse park - you'll get the hang of it.

Plenty of room to reverse out! As pp say learn to reverse park into spaces and you’ll soon understand why it’s much better.

If the two bays either side of the space are already occupied, I always find it a million times trickier to drive straight in, rather than reverse in.
But then my default parking manoeuvre is to reverse into any space anyway.
The only time I tend to drive in is when then are two free spaces in tandem so then I end up facing out towards the oncoming traffic.

From your photo, it looks like there's more than enough space to reverse out.

Maybe most parents care more about hitting a child.