When did backing into parking spots become the new hotness?

[Viper GTS]

It's far superior for all the reasons already mentioned plus another one:

If you drive performance cars you almost certainly have significantly more ground clearance in the back vs the front. Far safer for your car to back (likely with a camera too) up against a raised surface than take your chances with a (probably un-camera assisted) front approach.

If you're willing to risk a $500 splitter on your depth perception be my guest but I'm not.

Viper GTS

 

[snoopy7548]

Maybe it's because everybody has fancy backup cameras now.

 

[Exterous]

I always do it when I'm in the office. Our parking garage has concrete pillars that are hard to see around. Also it helps get me out of there faster. For a normal flat lot parking area I usually don't care unless I am loading or unloading something from the trunk

Maybe it's because everybody has fancy backup cameras now.

I don't. I feel left out 🙁

 

[Ns1]

As a former valet I can pretty much back anything into a compact spot, completely parallel with the lines.

Every morning I see tiny Fiat's and Mini's trying to backup into a spot, ending up in 2. So sad.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

It's safer to back into a spot than back out of one. I guess since the OP is seeing people doing it more often it must mean that we can learn things. Importanty things.

 

[ImpulsE69]

backing into a parking spot isn't a 'hotness' it's a smart thing to do. It is so when you go to leave you are less likely to hit something/someone while pulling out.

 

[William Gaatjes]

When backing up, i always lower my mirrors a bit so that i can also see through my mirrors where i am going and also see my wheels on the road. Making sure i do not hit anything.
Usually their are lines on the road , so i know what to watch out for.
When pivoting the rear wheels is easier when using the mirrors.
I have driven truck, cars and vans. It works perfectly.
I do not drive everyday. Sometimes not for months in a row.
Although, if i have not driven for like 7 months, i am bit rusty the first time at some times. But the second attempt to park is fine.

 

[clamum]

When backing up, i always lower my mirrors a bit so that i can also see through my mirrors where i am going and also see my wheels on the road. Making sure i do not hit anything.
Usually their are lines on the road , so i know what to watch out for.
When pivoting the rear wheels is easier when using the mirrors.
I have driven truck, cars and vans. It works perfectly.
I do not drive everyday. Sometimes not for months in a row.
Although, if i have not driven for like 7 months, i am bit rusty the first time at some times. But the second attempt to park is fine.

My side mirrors come in handy when backing up. The rear view mirror is important, obviously, but the side ones allow me to judge how close I am to the neighboring vehicles much better. I guess it may depend on how you have your side mirrors set/angled, but mine are "normal" AFAIK. I adjust them out until just a slice of my car is showing in the mirror.

 

[William Gaatjes]

My side mirrors come in handy when backing up. The rear view mirror is important, obviously, but the side ones allow me to judge how close I am to the neighboring vehicles much better. I guess it may depend on how you have your side mirrors set/angled, but mine are "normal" AFAIK. I adjust them out until just a slice of my car is showing in the mirror.

Yeah, i use the side mirrors too for the most part. But the rear bumper is usually sticking out, so i want to make sure i have that in my view as well next to the parking lines on the road.

 

[kranky]

My depth perception is so abysmal I avoid backing up for any reason if at all possible. In a large surface lot I'll find a place where I can pull through to the spot in front of where I pulled in. If that's not an option (parking garage, say), I will park far enough away from other vehicles that I'm not next to any and I have a clear view to back out.

 

[brianmanahan]

It is so when you go to leave you are less likely to hit something/someone while pulling out.

and when you arrived you were an anushole because you caused the 10 people behind you in the parking garage to stop while you executed a precise 11-point turn to back into the spot

 

[ImpulsE69]

and when you arrived you were an anushole because you caused the 10 people behind you in the parking garage to stop while you executed a precise 11-point turn to back into the spot

I would agree, but then someone who has to do an 11 point turn to get into a parking spot probably shouldn't be driving.

 

[TheVrolok]

I've always backed into spots. Habit from EMS days. Also, back up cameras make it super simple.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I do it most of the time now, I feel its much safer when pulling out.

 

[Ns1]

and when you arrived you were an anushole because you caused the 10 people behind you in the parking garage to stop while you executed a precise 11-point turn to back into the spot

Someone taking 11-point turn to back in will probably do that head-in as well.

 

[Noah Abrams]

I’ve been noticing this trend too and after going through this thread and the link within I did it today. With my less than stellar reversing skills I was afraid I was gonna hit the other vehicles haha. But was able to do it in 2 turns. Thankfully no one was waiting

 

[RossMAN]

I’ve been noticing this trend too and after going through this thread and the link within I did it today. With my less than stellar reversing skills I was afraid I was gonna hit the other vehicles haha. But was able to do it in 2 turns. Thankfully no one was waiting

We're going to need an MS Paint diagram to confirm.

 

[ladyjd]

I back in at work and home. Our parking stickers are mounted on the front windshield and so it’s easier

 

[eelw]

Whenever I see this topic here, I really don’t get hate by generally Americans towards reverse parking. Even poor Toronto drivers here are beginning to reverse park more often now.

 

[SKORPI0]

 

[Scarpozzi]

Maybe it's because everybody has fancy backup cameras now.

It was my first thought when I read the thread and it took page 2 for someone to say it. Congrats! You win!

Yeah....people are using the backup cameras because they're there...and take the mirror work out of judging distance. Where I work, we all have permits and they require us to pull in all normal. We can't showboat and back in because it would make the lazy parking enforcement assholes have to get out of their golf carts to do their jobs.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

I’ve always backed in with my midsize/large sedan. It’s easier to get in and out. Don’t do it if someone’s right behind me obviously.

 

[Noah Abrams]

So if it is easier to back in to parking spots because of cameras, isn’t it just as easy to park the old way because getting out is easier because of the same camera

 

[sdifox]

So if it is easier to back in to parking spots because of cameras, isn’t it just as easy to park the old way because getting out is easier because of the same camera

Your camera is not going to help you see cars coming. Unless you got those fancy multi camera ones with side cameras.

 

[vi edit]

As a consolidated bullet point list:

1) Cars are now very tall, and very boxy. I simply can't see when backing out because vision is obscured by other vehicles.
2) My own car could have reduced visibility when backing out due to oversized pillars in corners obstructing views.
3) Many cars back into a space tighter than they can pull into one.
4) Backup cameras make it very easy to perfectly line up your reverse move.
5) People are fucking idiots. They drive too fast through parking lots. Are completely oblivious burring face down in their cell phones and aren't paying attention when walking behind your car or when driving through parking lots. Facing outward gives you a MUCH better view of what is coming down the isle than trying to back out of it.

I drive a minivan. The only reason I don't prefer to back into spaces is because the hatch may not be accessible. But if I don't need to load anything I much prefer pulling out of space for all of the reasons mentioned above. It's just much easier to see everything going on when pulling out than backing out.