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AIBU?

To not understand why people say reverse bay parking is easier?

87 replies

crashdoll · 07/04/2013 19:53

I was taught how to reverse bay park properly but I find it such a challenge. Everyone says it's so much easier to reverse park. However, I have practiced reversing in to spaces and driving in and I have deduced that driving straight in is easier. I don't find reversing out of spaces difficult at all, it comes much more naturally tome. Maybe it's easier for some people but not for me!

AIBU?

OP posts:
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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 07/04/2013 19:55

I didn't find it any easier when I had a smaller car, now I've got a bigger car (peugeot 5008) with rear parking sensors I do find it much easier to reverse into parking bays.

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fairylightsinthespring · 07/04/2013 19:55

If you reverse in you can get a much tighter angle than if you go in forwards, so a narrower space is achievable. You just need to know when to turn the wheel and to use your mirrors.

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StickEmUpPunk · 07/04/2013 19:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

trinity0097 · 07/04/2013 19:56

I think people who reverse into spaces are mad! It's easier to drive straight in and then have your boot accessible, than reverse into a tight space and then find you can't get your trolley to your boot.

I have to say I am capable of reversing into tight spaces if needs be, but I prefer not to. I also sometimes drive across a space and straight into the next one so that it looks like I've reversed in, but never if I am doing more than one bag of shopping!

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ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 07/04/2013 19:57

Are you being unreasonable to find it easier to go in forwards and reverse out?

Yes. You simply have to find it easier to reverse in.

Grin

Of course not. Do what works for you.

I do find it better to reverse in because you do have better visibility when getting back out again.

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hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 07/04/2013 19:59

YABU Grin. It is much, much easier to reverse park.

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LunaticFringe · 07/04/2013 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 07/04/2013 20:00

I bloody hate this pad thing. Or maybe my fat fingers

There isn't a reasonable or unreasonable, only what's rightfor you.
But lots of people do find it easier to reverse in.I got bashed in a supermarket car park by a woman reversing out.
She couldnt see. I was level with her when she chose to shoot out!

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hermioneweasley · 07/04/2013 20:00

How could this be unreasonable??? Confused

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GraceSpeaker · 07/04/2013 20:04

YANBU! I never reverse in, either.

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SoftKittyWarmKitty · 07/04/2013 20:05

I find it much easier to reverse in, then drive straight out forwards. It's harder to manoeuvre in forwards because many cars are front wheel drives, which makes it easier to adjust your angle as you're driving backwards and harder to make little adjustments to your parking when going forwards. Apparently it's also safer because you can see more if you're driving forwards out of your parking space. Lots of prangs happen in car parks, so leaving the space travelling forwards is that little bit safer.

I always reverse in - I hate having to drive in forwards as I find it so awkward. Mind you, I live on a road where I have to parallel park every time, so I'm used to reverse parking.

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zwischenzug · 07/04/2013 20:07

Use your wingmirrors to check how much space you have each side. If you still struggle get a smaller car.

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Lueji · 07/04/2013 20:08

Because it is, as well as getting out.

The only places I don't reverse park is at the supermarket because I want a clear space behind.
And it is more difficult when there's not much space. I often have to do it in two or three attempts. And to reverse getting out too.
Whereas if I reverse park, I can easily do it in one go both ways.

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Redbindy · 07/04/2013 20:10

So driving into a space should be safer than reversing in. To me the same risks apply, just at different times.

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Lueji · 07/04/2013 20:15

So driving into a space should be safer than reversing in.

No. Because when you are reversing into a space you know it's clear.

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Meglet · 07/04/2013 20:21

Yabu. Reversing in is much safer than reversing out.

If I'm ever in charge it will be the law to reverse park.

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RattusMcFatus · 07/04/2013 20:26

I have always revesed into a space. It is much easer to see what you are doing and where other cars/pedestrians are both before parking and then on moving off after.
When you reverse out of a space you can't see what is coming along the road behind you especially if you have a bigger vehicle next to you, where as if you are driving out forwards you get a view of the road much sooner. Quite often the drivers of vehicles coming along are looking for spaces so may not spot you reversing out until it is to late. I much prefer having a clear view of what is coming my way so I can stop/move if necessary.

I have witnessed a 6yr old being run over by a car reversing out of a space as the driver could not see him coming up from behind the small van(vauxhall estate size)parked next to him until he hit the poor boy. If he had been driving out forwards he would have spotted the boy sooner and prehaps prevented the accident.

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Redbindy · 07/04/2013 20:27

How do you know it's clearer reversing in than reversing out. Where are the statistics. Reversing in is also environmentally unfriendly due to the additional fuel used driving past the space before reversing in.

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RattusMcFatus · 07/04/2013 20:29

Reversing in is safe as you have seen what is coming before you start reversing so you know of any hazards befor you start.

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ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 07/04/2013 20:30

no. it isn't the same. A parking space is a small area that is more cut off. There is unlikely to be someone walking through a parking space, a car won't come up into it, you can clearly see everything front and back, you've already driven past it and looked into it and can see that it's all clear.

If you reverse out of a space, you can't see clearly behind you in all directions, you have to inch out until the view is clear. inching out is more risky. cars may come up, people may try to walk round you, etc.

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WhereYouLeftIt · 07/04/2013 20:30

Doesn't it depend on whether you have a rear wheel or front wheel drive car?

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ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 07/04/2013 20:32

and reversing out takes far longer, therefore using more fuel.

safer and more economical

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crashdoll · 07/04/2013 20:32

If you still struggle get a smaller car.

It is quite a small car and unfortunately, I no longer have a money tree, so I'm stuck with this for the time being.

OP posts:
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smokinaces · 07/04/2013 20:34

I reverse in as its easier to pull out forwards when surrounded by parked cars etc. I always also inevitably get the twat who can't park go in the bay next to me at a stupid angle when I'm shopping, and a stupid 4x4 overhanging the line opposite me, so its easier to drive out again as opposed to trying to reverse round them.

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ClutchingPearls · 07/04/2013 20:35

I didn't realise it was a safety thing.

I just thought it was to do with the front of the car doing turning and the back just following. So you need more room to turn the front and the back moves less. My technical name for it is wiggle room.

That's not right is it? thank god I don't drive anymore.

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