For Goodness Sake - Back it in!!!!

[Purrybonker]

This has been one of my - "man if the whole world would just listen to me, everything will be OK" campaigns for years. (come on admit it, you've got a campaign or two of your own)

After a guy down the street from me backed out of his garage and ran over his kid on a tricycle a few years ago, I took an oath to always park my vehicles ass-in, rather than ass-out. My reasoning was (and is) that when you approach your home you get a great forward view of your driveway and garage (open the door while approaching) while you pass them in preparation to back into the garage. This method is far safer to the rear only view that is available when you back out.

As a jogger, I've almost been nailed tons of times by people backing out of their driveways - particularily with the mature hedges and trees that block the already limited field of vision of a reversing driver.

I'm not much of a safety nut, but this one just makes simple sense to me. Are you guys with me or agin' me?

[trj911]

I see your safety feature, but I find more kids around when I come home from work, than any other time. My driveway and basketball court usually has 4-8 kids from ages 5-12 playing on it. I think I would be a hazard backing in at that time.

[Schrup]

What happened to the kid on the tricycle?

[djmcmath]

I'm with you. Backing in just plain makes more sense. Ultimately, you have to either back in or back out, right? You have to back one way or the other? People always get upset with me for backing in, though somehow they don't get upset with people backing out, though the traffic difficulties caused by one are the same as by the other. Backing in provides a clear view of the spot before you back into it, something that's harder to do when backing out. I totally thoroughly one hundred percent agree with you.

Dan

[Shuie]

I go to work very early and I cant see anything when I leave in the morning due to fog, rain, dew, etc. There is no room to turn around in my driveway without backing over my neighbors fence, so I always back in my driveway when I get home at night. Waiting and dodging everyone else that is getting home from work at the same time is a PITA, but at least I can see a little better at that time.

[VINMAN]

People that back into parking spots have always annoyed the crap out of me. (why?, i dont know they just do). But as far as backing out of a garage, I see your point. I have a blind spot pulling out of my driveway, especially with my 944, and have come close to hitting a few people.

[vash]

i have always driven trucks and 4x4's, visibility is crap. i developed a habit to take a walk around my car everytime. sometimes it is easy because i approach from the rear. when i open the door for the girlfriend i take the path around the back of the car to get in. it has become habit.
on a side note, when i was a deliquent youth, i played this joke on older drivers; while crossing at a crosswalk, i would get eyecontact with a driver. then i would pretend to drop my keys or something. then duck down to pick it up. while down there i would crawl around the car and away. leaving him/her honking for me to get outta there because the light turned green. i shoulda had my A$$ kicked. some kid did it to me awhile back, and i just sat there, because i deserved it. damn am i glad i grew up. i think life is going to give me a bad delinquent kid as revenge.

[Milu]

My father taught me to always park a car so it was facing the direction I wanted to leave in.

I've found this especially useful at client premises where one often wants to make a fast getaway

[Dantilla]

I have a canopy on my pick-up during the winter months. With the reduced visability out the back, I usually back into parking spots. Not such a big deal in the summer with no canopy.

[Z-man]

It is far easier to back out of a garage than backing into one. Going in nose first minimizes the chance of damaging your car. Of course, I don't have any children to worry about playing in my driveway.

That said, I always leave my driveway nose first.

My $0.42,
-Z.

[Purrybonker]

What happened to the kid on the tricycle?

Gonzo. I didn't know the guy, but that must have been about as rough as it gets.

[JavaBrewer]

My garage has a interior house access door. I drive in nose first because I never know if kids are waiting to greet me or simply playing with their toys. In my situation the 'child under tires" risk is much greater during arrival rather then departure. Can't think of anything more horrific than running over your own kid.

[Hugh R]

I work in Hollywood and with the Studio Teamsters, they always back in to park. In fact, there are a few well worn jokes about that.

1. How do you know a kid's parent is a Studio Teamster? The kids back their bicycles in to bike racks.

2. How does a Studio Teamster start sex? Ok, back it up.

[Eric Coffey]

It really depends on the situation/location, but generally "reverse parking" is the way to go. Most of us 'Muricans don't get it though. I remember backing into a stall at a mall parking lot with my cousin-in-law from England once. He was absolutely (sarcastically) amazed that a yank could do that. Apparently, our (Americans) driving skills are the butt of quite a few jokes across the pond.

[CamB]

Woe betide the person who backs an older car into an enclosed space and expects to:

a) breathe when they get out
b) not leave a beautiful black exhaust mark when they leave in the morning...

[CarreraS2]

In the garage, I usually put the car in whatever direction works so that the driver's door opens to the center of the garage, rather than against the wall.

That way I can park closer to the wall and leave more room in the garage.

[power]

I drive a company car at work. It is mandatory to back into the company parking stall (considered a safety issue). I must say I thought this was stupid at first, now I see some sense to it......oh no! listen to me, next thing you know I'll be getting along with management..