Are you a 'Drive in' or 'Reverse in' Parker ??
16 October 2007, 03:54 PM
#34
My dad told me when I first passed my test, that it was easier to park squarley into a tight (swing-in room, not side to side) space than it was to go in forwards. He was right as having the wheels steering at the back straightens the car quicker.
You can accomplish the same feat going in forwards, but chances are you will have to straighten the car as it will always be either at an angle or too far over - to the 'in'side of the turn.
To clarify the above point for those who like to misinterpret,
I am talking about spaces where you have a minimum of room to swing in or out. (No wife-swap observations please 
).
Getting out of the same type of tight area (
) is easier if you are facing forward as you can see if your bumper will hit whatever car/wall/bollard/chav is blocking the space.
You can accomplish the same feat going in forwards, but chances are you will have to straighten the car as it will always be either at an angle or too far over - to the 'in'side of the turn.
To clarify the above point for those who like to misinterpret,
I am talking about spaces where you have a minimum of room to swing in or out. (No wife-swap observations please ).Getting out of the same type of tight area (
) is easier if you are facing forward as you can see if your bumper will hit whatever car/wall/bollard/chav is blocking the space.
16 October 2007, 04:08 PM
#36
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sussex
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You should always reverse in as it is much easier, and its also much easier to drive out forwards. When reversing out not only do you need to keep an eye out the back for passing cars, kids, cyclists and pedestrians but you also need to watch the front wing to ensure it doesn't hit the car in the adjoining space.
However as stated by many people driving in forwards is easier in the supermarket where you want to load shopping in the boot. Oh and its also easier in Crawley High Street where the spaces are on a slant!
However as stated by many people driving in forwards is easier in the supermarket where you want to load shopping in the boot. Oh and its also easier in Crawley High Street where the spaces are on a slant!
16 October 2007, 05:31 PM
#38
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Earth
Posts: 912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I always reverse into the drive,its the correct way to go and makes exiting early in the morning easier and more importantly safer ,especially in the darker and colder mornings when visibility can be reduced.The highway code recomends it and at the end of the day its common sense.
See idiots all the time, reversing out on to main roads without assistance and usually with kids strapped in the back going to school.They just expect people to see them and stop for them which is a big assumption.The poor kids are out in the line of fire before the dozy parent can see any traffic .Scary.
See idiots all the time, reversing out on to main roads without assistance and usually with kids strapped in the back going to school.They just expect people to see them and stop for them which is a big assumption.The poor kids are out in the line of fire before the dozy parent can see any traffic .Scary.
16 October 2007, 10:14 PM
#44
Scooby Regular
Unlike many on the roads, I use my brain and make an educated choice. If at the supermarket then I will drive in if I am doing the full shop to make loading easier later. Having said that, I always park well away from everyone else and choose my bay wisely to prevent anyone parking near me. At almost all other times I reverse park.
Most people will always take the easier option in the first instance and then not even notice their later struggle. I see it daily when teaching as the majority of people reverse out of their drives. Thinking about it logically, as you arrive home you're probably alert after a full day at work, it may be light and the weather may be pleasant so why not back it in ? The next morning you emerge half-asleep, possibly in the dark and maybe with rain, frost, steamed-up windows or whatever and then try and back out onto a busy road. Hundreds, maybe thousands of accidents each year must be caused by a single short-sighted act of laziness.
Most people will always take the easier option in the first instance and then not even notice their later struggle. I see it daily when teaching as the majority of people reverse out of their drives. Thinking about it logically, as you arrive home you're probably alert after a full day at work, it may be light and the weather may be pleasant so why not back it in ? The next morning you emerge half-asleep, possibly in the dark and maybe with rain, frost, steamed-up windows or whatever and then try and back out onto a busy road. Hundreds, maybe thousands of accidents each year must be caused by a single short-sighted act of laziness.
)
16 October 2007, 10:52 PM
#48
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Always reverse in.
Allows you to see in both directions (expecially convenient in this age of SUV, Mum Trucks.
Plus allows you to get away quicker should you be in a spot of bother.
Have been on a number of advanced driver courses with previous employers and reversing into a space is always drummed into you.
They also mention parking away from Mum Trucks and scrappy looking cars as both sets of owners will nonchantly open the doors of their cars onto yours or brush along the paintwork of your car as they struggle to get their little demonic chilid into it's seat.
Allows you to see in both directions (expecially convenient in this age of SUV, Mum Trucks.
Plus allows you to get away quicker should you be in a spot of bother.
Have been on a number of advanced driver courses with previous employers and reversing into a space is always drummed into you.
They also mention parking away from Mum Trucks and scrappy looking cars as both sets of owners will nonchantly open the doors of their cars onto yours or brush along the paintwork of your car as they struggle to get their little demonic chilid into it's seat.
and they usually get out and check there is no damage to their car then drive off
22 December 2007, 11:22 AM
#54
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dave
22 December 2007, 01:43 PM
#55
Scooby Senior
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Norwich
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drive forward into a space for the simple reason that my battery is boot fitted (engine bay is full of V8) and if I'd ever require a jump start, it makes it easier.
My battery died earlier in the year and I was so glad I did this...
If I'm driving my wifes car I reverse in for the same reason.
My battery died earlier in the year and I was so glad I did this...
If I'm driving my wifes car I reverse in for the same reason.
22 December 2007, 03:05 PM
#56
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Zed Ess Won Hay Tee
Posts: 21,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my designated parking space outside the apartments means i have to reverse in, otherwise i cant open the drivers door (wall 
)
it does mean that nobody could ever nick my alloys i suppose
)it does mean that nobody could ever nick my alloys i suppose
22 December 2007, 04:55 PM
#57
Scooby Senior
Went to Prodrive last year and one of the guys told us that Dave Richards insists that everyone reverses into their spaces. If they don't he makes them go and re-park
I always reverse unless I am out shopping in MrsXRS's Galaxy, when access to the rear door is needed.
I always reverse unless I am out shopping in MrsXRS's Galaxy, when access to the rear door is needed.
22 December 2007, 04:58 PM
#59
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
depends what cars next to me, if it looks like a crap/kiddies car I will reverse in blocking the passager door on thier car, so they have to pull out before dinting my door with their's
