Reverse parking

[Wongo]

Potentially a stupid question but hey thinking isn’t really my strength.:eek:

You know you go to the shopping centre right. You get your ticket and you enter the car park. Then you go around, you look for parking. (Then Jasmin will say Dadddy there is one there, oh no there isn’t. :D) Then the car in front of you sees a spot and indicates. Then you think good for them.

BUT instead of going straight in, they decide to reverse in. Then they slowly make their 5 turns and you start to lose the cool. You sit there and you think why do they do it the hard way. Can they just go in head first and and reverse out when they are leaving. Surely it is easier and you don’t stop other cars.

Please help me out guys. Am I missing something here? Or is reverse parking a bit more stylish?:confused:

[Cliff Rogers]

... Am I missing something here? Or is reverse parking a bit more stylish?:confused:

Dunno, I park by ear. :D

[bitingmidge]

I'm always inside the restaurant by the time my man parks my car.

P
:cool: :cool: :cool:

[Grunt]

I park by feel.

[Groggy]

Write 2/10 on a card while you wait, then hold it up as you go past :p

[Stuart]

I park by feel.I park by braille - probably the same thing, but I can legitimately close my eyes ;)

[Coldamus]

Well, I normally reverse into my driveway and also into spaces in parking lots. I find it much safer when coming out because I don't have to back out blindly into moving traffic. It is just as safe when going in provided you remain aware of idiots driving about 2 feet behind you and champing to get past.

Most cars turn much sharper in reverse with less lateral swing. Certainly mine does, so I can usually back in in one motion or at most with only one shuffle. Going forwards, unless there's room to sweep around, it takes a couple of shuffles back and forth to line it up, given the narrowness of most parking spaces and the amount of sideways movement at the front of the car in turns.

Mine is a wagon with quite a long back. For a Toyota Echo or something like that, it may not be an issue.

regards
Coldamus

[scooter]

Sticker seen on the back of Scott's car...

http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:FhzyHX1D_dhnmM:http://pages.videotron.com/hlaccess/CAT%2520RACING.jpg

[Auld Bassoon]

Sticker seen on the back of Scott's car...

http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:FhzyHX1D_dhnmM:http://pages.videotron.com/hlaccess/CAT%2520RACING.jpg
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Ramps]

Well, I normally reverse into my driveway and also into spaces in parking lots. I find it much safer when coming out because I don't have to back out blindly into moving traffic. It is just as safe when going in provided you remain aware of idiots driving about 2 feet behind you and champing to get past.

Most cars turn much sharper in reverse with less lateral swing. Certainly mine does, so I can usually back in in one motion or at most with only one shuffle. Going forwards, unless there's room to sweep around, it takes a couple of shuffles back and forth to line it up, given the narrowness of most parking spaces and the amount of sideways movement at the front of the car in turns.

Mine is a wagon with quite a long back. For a Toyota Echo or something like that, it may not be an issue.

regards
Coldamus

Aye aye. My reasons for reverse parking exactly... but it's a rare thing that it takes more than one attempt. :p

I'm always worried that some child or oldie with an uncotrollable trolley will fly by just as I'm reversing out of a park, so I avoid doing it.

Think of it this way: if the person takes multiple attempts to reverse into a carpark they'd prob take the same to reverse out of one ... causing a traffic jam on the way out instead :D

[journeyman Mick]

Scott,
I generally reverse in (but I get it done almost as quickly as going in forward). For large vehicles or vehicles with large turning circles (4WDs) it's a neccesity if you don't want to do a 3 point turn to get into a park.

Mick

[E. maculata]

Like Mick said Scott, your vehicles becomes more like a rear steerer, ie: forklift & is potientially far more manovourable (in the right hands) and is also safer whence exiting said parking space.

[jmk89]

If you've ever lived in Europe (including the UK) or somewhere else where parking space is limited, reverse parking is the usual way to do it. The extra manoeuvrability means that you need less space, so you can fit into smaller parking spaces (talking about street parking, not car park parking). One consequence is that you learn that you only need a space about 2 feet bigger than your car (have a look at how people park in Australia - they use a paddock of space and still park by sound, and feel!!!).

The problem in car parks is that so many reverse parkers have had a space stolen by someone turning in frontways before they started reversing that they don't go far enough beyond the target space or across to the other side of the lane before commencing the park. So they end up doing a really inept job of it...

[Buzzer]

Live in the bush, no parking problems!!!:D

[RufflyRustic]

..... or learn to drive and park a very large car. I find now, that every other car I drive is a piece of p(*&^ (very generally speaking that is) to drive and park, especially reverse park.

cheers
Wendy

[Sturdee]

Think of it this way: if the person takes multiple attempts to reverse into a carpark they'd prob take the same to reverse out of one ... causing a traffic jam on the way out instead :D


Then their licence should be taken away from them and told to relearn how to drive as they are a menace on the road.

A while ago I saw a NSW driver reverse park in Melbourne in a street centre parking area and he was promptly booked for his efforts as it is illegal to do so. :D Sweet revenge as I was once booked in Sydney for not reverse parking.:eek:


Peter.

[Groggy]

This is a true story.

I watched a woman sawing away at a parallel park in St Kilda road area. Finally, she revved the car and flew in reverse, over the gutter (ALL wheels) and scattered joggers from the Tan jogging track. When reversing she was at 90 degrees to the gutter!

She then tried to get in from the footpath side for about 2 minutes but drove off when the joggers threw rocks at the car. Immediately after she left another woman reversed into the spot in a large ford - first go. She had no idea what the laughter and cheers were about.

[Wood Butcher]

I've noticed a few towns have reverse angle parking, but 99% of the time have huge wide streets.

Strangest thing I saw was someone obviously from one of such said towns that tried to reverse into a standard angle parking space:confused::eek:

[Wongo]

So it is for the safety of others. Fair enough.:)

Scooter, I like that sticker.:cool:

[Doughboy]

I will only ever reverse park anywhere.... at home at the shops or at work... I love going backwards i s'pose!!!!!

Reversing a car is not rocket science but add a trailer and then watch the wannabes at the tip or at a green waste site... omg get out and unhook the trailer, then get on the phone and call some one who can drive!!!

Even better watch a semi-trailer reversing into a loading ramp. These guys can drive although I do recall watching a fellow trying to reverse in to the Bega sales yards laoding ramp and it took him 45 mins to get the rear of the trailer anywhere near the ramp and another 30 mins to line it all up correctly and then he managed to hit the edge with such force that it squashed the runners on the truck rear door enough to make the door almost impossible to open. Those who witnessed this were debating whether he qualified for his licence or did he just buy it?

Pete

PS My wife refuses to drive with a trailer on behind her fullstop. I have to respect her for this because it is then a safety issue.

[Bulli]

I also generally reverse park for the reasons above, though I can't remember needing more than one go at it.

Another benefit not mentioned above, is that these days the clowns who design parking spaces seem to make them the perfect fit for a compact car, meaning that if you've got a bigger car you have very little room. By reversing in, you put your drivers-side door next to the driver's door of the car on one side, and the passenger door next to the passenger's door on the car of the other side (assuming they've both gone in front first).

That way you can put a little bit more room on your side to open the door. Mind you, this only makes sense if you're pretty sure there's no-one needing to get into the other car's passenger seat, say at work where most people (in this town at least) drive to work alone.

Cheers,

Bulli

[forunna]

I agree with COLDAMUS.
I drive a landcruiser and can look into the space to make sure its clear then use my mirrors to reverse in pretty quickly. then I dont have to worry about reversing out into traffic or kids or trolleys. And it is easier to reverse into a tight spot too.

[rrich]

My normal vehicle is a Ford F-250 truck and I almost always reverse park. The reason is that I can first have a full view and then block the parking space while reversing into the parking space. When exiting the parking space it is easier to see the traffic and obstacles making the exit much safer. At home I always reverse into the driveway for the same reasons. There are many small children in the neighborhood and for some strange reason they are more aware of a vehicle backing from the street into the driveway than of a vehicle backing out of a driveway.

[Andy Mac]

I've been driving since I was 12 or 13 (on the farm) but still try to avoid reverse parking!:o I'd rather drive around for a while and try to find somewhere to drive straight into, even if it means a longer walk to where I'm going. I just think I'm shy, don't like being seen to make a cockup in public:rolleyes:. But then again, maybe I'm just a poor driver: I once drove reverse straight into a large tree in a car park, despite looking all around...had nothing to do with the fact it was a pub carpark! And once I sideswiped my poor old Kombi into an unseen concrete pillar trying to manouvre in an underground carpark. Didn't it make a mess trying to drive off that pillar!?!
I heard that years ago during a driving licence test they'd make you reverse park and forward park into the same parking space!:eek: Now that's a test...
For many years if I had to reverse a trailer, I always found it quicker to uncouple and push the bugger by hand.:o Now I have a caravan I've practiced more, and sometimes I even manage to get where I want to go first attempt!!:p Well when I say first...


LOL, cheers

[silentC]

I go in forwards or backwards, depending on my mood and the angle of approach etc.

Look at it this way, Mr Wong, if they have that much trouble reversing in, they probably wouldn't do much better going in forwards and you would still have to wait. At least this way, they get to see your look of contempt as you drive past.

[Felder]

I'm a great reverser, either with just a car, or if I'm towing (pushing?) a trailer. In fact, I will go on record as saying that I am the best trailer reverser I know. :D
As with Silent, I evaluate the situation and choose whether to go in forwards or backwards. Angles need to be considered.

I'm picking Wongo up tomorrow on the way to the Meet & Greet at DIY Dan's.
I'll be driving about five metres worth of ute, and towing around five metres worth of trailer.
I think we might reverse all the way from his place to Mt Kuring-Gai, just for ##### and giggles. :)

[bennylaird]

Again I'm impressed, just watched you reverse that post into place without bumping Silents post. Well done.:D :D :D

[silentC]

You know, the longer the trailer, the easier it is to back. I used to do a lot of driving around with a car float on the back of a Hi Lux. The Hi Lux had a Holden V8 under the bonnet but that's another story. Man, I could back that thing! I used to back it just for the hell of it sometimes. Dad would say "son, why are you backing that trailer into the narrow space between those two Mercs?" "Because I can, Dad, because I can" ;)

[Waldo]

G'day Wongo,

I always reverse in, as it means I can drive straight out of a park and clearly see what's coming from both ways.

If you know how big you car is it's sinch, but that then a lot of women have no idea, especially one's who drive 4x4's. Then you can end up waiting all day. :mad: But then some casn't even park a toyota Echo, seen that pleny of times.

Reverse parking is the easiest thing in the world, I've seen some have 6 attempts at it. :confused:

On another note, and this might be Melbourne centric I don't know, but down here it's common to have idiots see a car coming out a parallel park, park in front of that car as it's trying to come out then somehow the car has to come out of it's spot while the other yobbo tries top park as well. :confused: :mad:

[Sturdee]

On another note, and this might be Melbourne centric I don't know, but down here it's common to have idiots see a car coming out a parallel park, park in front of that car as it's trying to come out then somehow the car has to come out of it's spot while the other yobbo tries top park as well. :confused: :mad:

That's to stop someone else trying to sneak in behind and park in that spot.

First rule of driving never let onother pinch your parking spot.:D


Peter.

[Jack E]

Reversing in is the way to go.
On most mine sites it is compulsory so that you don't run over someone while reversing out.

My wife drives a Land Rover Discovery and I drive an XR6 Falcon ute.
The ute is very long (especially with the nudge bar on the front), it also has a poor turning circle so reversing is pretty much the only option.

The landy doesn't turn very sharply when going forward at low speed, you also cannot see the bullbar which makes it hard to judge when you are going to run over a bombadore:)

My wife reverses in one go 9 times out of 10 so it can't be that hard.

I'll take the trailer reversing challenge:D

Cheers, Jack.