I once heard “to keep your tailgate from being stolen” but that seems like it’d be a rare case.
I only park backwards at work and it’s because I sleep in my car on my breaks, I get more shade on the front side of my car from the tree I park under if I park backwards. Also it is nice saving the ~10 seconds backing out to leave when I really wanna start getting home even though that time saving in practice is miniscule.
Because then I don’t have to reverse out, which is far more difficult
Reversing in is safer than reversing out.
My charging port is in back.
Much easier to park AND drive away. I see very few disadvantages really
Depends on the car and the parking lot, for me. When I drive my mom someplace we use her van, it’s easier for her to get in and out that way. This van has a shorter front end, and no backup camera to compensate, so I back in and pull out of spaces so I have better views as I’m moving.
When I drive my sedan with my wife and kids, I pull in to spaces and back out, because the sedan has a much longer front end and a great backup camera/radar alert system that makes backing out of spaces the safer option.
I worked at a job site prone to flooding so it was mandated to speed evacuations. I liked it and kept the habit.
Then some misogynist asshat told me it’s a masculine thing to do and I should be careful to come across more ladylike. So added on a layer of spite and anti-bigot defenses to why I keep doing it.
What the actual fuck
“Your driving is threatening my fragile ego, could you please be worse than me at it?”
What a douche
deleted by creator
I worked for a company that provided a car (incidentally a ‘benefit’ I will refuse in any future scenario).
They explicitly told us we had to back in to our parking spots whenever possible. They implied that some data they had showed it reduced accidents.
Not only makes it easier to leave when you need to, as you can see everything that you might hit or might hit you.
But going backwards means you can more easily line up in the space as you have more control over your angle.
Like parallel parking is essier when reversing as you dont need to correct once in the space. Just 45 degree to the kerb and straighten up and you are in. Going forward parallel parking takes loads of correction or needs a really big gap to fit in to.
There’s a reason a number of large companies that self-insure mandate backing in for all their vehicles (Schlumberger, Cargill); it’s demonstrably safer practice that results in less accidents when leaving the parking space. You can see everything when you back in that was there when you pulled up, and when you pull out, you’re right up front looking forward into the lane as you pull out. You quickly learn how to back in, even without a backup camera, if you learn how to use your mirrors.
It is by far the statistically less accident prone method.
This is why I do it.
You know how the surroundings are now and you don’t know how they are going to be when you have to drive out again. Makes sense to prepare for the unknown
Is backing into parking spots not the norm in the US? Here in Germany we back into parking spots most of the time, mostly because the spots are too narrow or short to enter forward. We also learn this in driving school and it’s pretty much an essential skill that’s expected from drivers in Germany.
If I’m shopping, I want my tailgate free for loading or unloading. Similar for road trips or any time I’m carrying anything
Americans avoid it like the plague for some reason. I always back in because I can look at the spot for objects or problems before I start backing in to ensure I dont hit anything. Backing out blind can be risky otherwise.
As everyone else has said, mostly convenience. Easier parking, quicker leaving, generally safer. If I’m early to work I’ll “drive-through” an empty spot to park with the nose outwards. The rearview mirrors make it very easy to keep track of where your car is going.
Occasionally I’ve also managed to do some stupidly tight parking jobs where I literally had to climb out of the trunk :)
You can fit in more easily. Having the steering axle in the back relative to the direction of movement allows you to drive tighter curves (like a forklift).
Oh yes! This is my reason too. With a back up camera makes it easier
My mom does this every time she parks, even in our driveway. She’s always said it’s so if her car stalls, it’s easier to get it jumped or towed out of the spot.
Much easier to pull out after, and I can leave quicker despite taking slightly longer to pull in.
Exactly. I’m in no rush to park, but you never know when you might need to fuck the hell off in a hurry lol.