It is a topic you may hear fiercely debated at the local corner pub. Amongst the community church pews. In between the barks at the beloved dog park. It’s undoubtedly destined to be a hot topic in the upcoming presidential debates. Okay…maybe that’s a stretch, but seriously, you’ll find some real stubborn people when you approach the topic of drum roll please…backing in or pulling in to parking spots.
Admittedly, I am one of these stubborn people. But, my thoughts on this topic reach a level where I don’t even think I need to explain further.
I will though. Here we go.
In scouring Reddit and other blogs regarding this topic, the majority pledged allegiance to backing in to parking spots. Great – common sense exists. And then I landed on several blogs doubling down on the “pulling in” side of the debate. Man, I’d hate to be that dude.
So, even though nobody has asked, here is my unabashed, maybe stubborn, argument.
A CASE FOR BACKING IN
I do not claim to have unique thoughts on this topic, but I assure you these words are my own. I will also refrain from referencing any specific professional studies, but rely instead on my own empirical observations..
Safety & Hazard Mitigation
Surprisingly, this didn’t seem to sway those who remain on the side of pulling in to parking spots. For anyone that’s been at a busy convenience store or tight parking lot, there should be no further discussion. The amount of times I’ve seen or almost seen a car backing out into another car or person is many times over.
My argument emphasizes that backing into a designated parking spot leaves the cars beside the spot and the car, wall, or pole behind you as the only expected hazards. With the prevalence of backup cameras and ease in using your side mirrors, these hazards present an extremely minimal problem.
Backing out of a spot into an area that is designated for moving vehicles, pedestrians, shopping carts, etc. presents an array of opportunities for hitting something, including the cars beside you if you cut the wheel too soon.
Ease of Departure
If you combine the time it takes to enter a parking spot and leave a parking spot, many of the puller-inners argue it is much quicker to pull into the spot, saving time and energy in the process. While I don’t think this is always the case (I’ve seen plenty of people have to take 2+ cracks at pulling into a spot), I will admit it could be quicker to pull into a spot. Everyone does know that you eventually need to exit the spot though, right?
Given the ease of pulling out of the spot after previously backing in, the total time is at worst, equal. If I’m in a busy parking lot with cars coming both ways, I can assure you it takes much less time to pull out in either direction than back out.
How about entertainment venues? Stadium and concert parking lots. What happens when tens of thousands of people are trying to leave at the same time? Do you think most people are going to provide the time and room for a car to back out of their spot and jump in line? Not a chance. How about if you are just pulling out? Definitely. And if someone isn’t, you surely have the opportunity to force your way out (shout out Philly drivers!).
Emergencies & Maintenance
I don’t want to wish an emergency on anyone, so I will keep this brief. If I were in an emergency or had to get in my car and leave as soon as humanly possible, you better believe I don’t want to have to back out of my spot. I’ll leave it at that.
The other important part of this is if you experience any issues with your engine, battery, or other important component housed under your car hood. The vast majority of the cars we see driving on the road today have the engine in the front of the car. If you need to receive maintenance or a jump of your engine, another car or maintenance worker will have unhindered access if you backed into your spot. If you pulled in, you’re either waiting for the cars around you to leave or trying to find them for help.
THE EXCEPTIONS
The Pull-Through
Above all else, this is the parking situation you look for. The best of both worlds. My dad would argue that if you park out far enough (like you should), pulling through to park is almost always an option. Seriously though, I will pull through 100% of the time if it is readily available.
Diagonal Parking
I am a rule follower, and I respect the necessity and efficiency of diagonal parking in certain areas. I’ve most often seen this with one way streets or parking lot lanes. The thought of backing into a parking spot in this situation is ludacris anyway, so yes I will pull into a diagonal parking spot.
Absolute Need for Trunk or Hatch Access
This goes without saying, but the storage area of most vehicles is in the back. So what do you do when you visit the local warehouse club and purchase everything in bulk that you don’t need anyway? Well, when I absolutely need access to my trunk or hatch, my first step is to park out far enough, so one dares park near me. If this is not an option, then yes, I will pull in.
Oversized Vehicle
Finally, for all of you 3/4 ton long bed truck drivers, I get it. I have driven large trucks and cargo vans and quite frankly, parking lots are not made for your vehicles. I can speak from experience and say that sometimes backing in is just not in the cards.
RECOGNIZED DRAWBACKS
Lack of Patience from Other Drivers
I lived in a major city for six years, so I understand parallel parking being a way of life. Slow down, put your turn signal on, and slightly pull in line with the car ahead of the open spot. You look back, and what do you see? The car behind you a foot from your bumper waving their hands and cursing you out.
Yeah, that conversation is for another time. The point is that whether you are parallel parking or backing into a parking spot and using all indicators ahead of time to showcase your intentions, other drivers either don’t pay attention or lack the patience.
This is certainly a recognized drawback, but one that shouldn’t have to be an issue if other people were more courteous drivers.
Reliance on Backup Cameras
My reference to backup cameras earlier was to praise their usage in backing into a parking spot. They are very helpful, but also a crutch and hindrance. Backing into a parking spot necessitates proper usage of the side mirrors, rearview mirrors, AND the backup camera, in addition to understanding of geometric principles that your brain automatically computes anyway.
Backup cameras can make you safer, but you need all components to back in and when there is too much reliance on just the camera, this presents a problem.
Bad Drivers
I don’t have to tip-toe around this. Some people are just bad drivers. Many admittedly and others not. Bad drivers make everyone’s lives harder whether they are trying to pull in or back in a parking spot. If you’re a bad driver, I guess just do whatever is safest and easiest for you.
ARE YOU CONVINCED?
My logic is not perfect. I am not right about everything, but I leave you with this. So I am told, the standard cultural practice in Japan is to back into parking spots. It is what they are taught and has become an unwritten rule. And if I’m going to trust another culture with their view on this topic, it is certainly the courteous and highly efficient Japanese.
