Driving Parking Rant

I am so tired of those people in busy parking lots that decide they always have to back into their spot, and make everybody else wait while they attempt to do it. I have some road etiquette rules for doing this.

1) Make sure nobody is around.

2) If your in the process of already doing it and somebody is waiting for you, you get one shot to get it right, then you wait for them to go by, no pulling back out to straighten up to get more centered.

3) If you are in an extra big vehicle don't even try it between two large SUV's.

4) If you find backing out to be too much of a challenge to your driving skills, buy a vehicle with a rear camera and a backup sensor, they work great.

5) If you see 3 cars on one side and three cars on the other side, all about to wait for you, for a total of 6 drivers plus all their passengers, remember your time is NOT more valuable than theirs, don't be a selfish jerk.

End of rant.

a reply to: Blue_Jay33

I've actually never had this problem... I never see folks trying to back into spaces, but I do it quite a bit. I always back into my driveway. And I'm really good at it so I never pose the problems to others that you describe. Which brings us to a more important point...

We need to bring back driver's education and driver's training so that people actually know how to drive -- not just hit the gas and steer, but actually drive. Know how to back up, how to parallel park, how to properly merge into traffic, how to use hand signals, and so on.

Of course, doing so would actually reduce accidents, and therefore profits for some folks, so it won't happen. But that would be the most practical and effective solution all around.

a reply to: Boadicea

I am not talking about a persons personal driveway, the parking spot they own, that's different in my opinion.
I am talking more about that busy Saturday at the mall, where people are always coming and going from public parking spots.

a reply to: Blue_Jay33

I bet you don't pull over for ambulances or stop for ducks in the road either.

Why is their time more valuable anyway?

originally posted by: Blue_Jay33
a reply to: Boadicea

I am not talking about a persons personal driveway, the parking spot they own, that's different in my opinion.

I'm not sure why that's different. It still starts on a public access, and poses the same potential for inconveniencing other drivers.

I am talking more about that busy Saturday at the mall, where people are always coming and going from public parking spots.

And I'm saying that if someone knows what they are doing, then even in a busy mall parking lot, backing into a spot can be done quickly and efficiently with minimal inconvenience and annoyance to anyone. It's just one extra step.

I will also add that backing into a parking space is much safer than backing out of a parking space. The initial effort is worth the final effort.

Why Reverse Parking is Safer

So I reiterate: We would all be much better off bringing back driver's ed and driver's training and actually teaching people how to drive correctly.

a reply to: NarcolepticBuddha

I do that, it's good driving etiquette, and for the ambulance it's actually the law where I am.
Everybody pulls over.

a reply to: Boadicea

I'm not sure why that's different. It still starts on a public access, and poses the same potential for inconveniencing other drivers.

Some streets aren't so busy, but if you live off a really busy road, then you could slow traffic significantly, if 25 people have to hit their brakes because you just had to back into your driveway, to me that is just inconsiderate of other drivers.
But then again if that road is that busy and the speed limit is a little higher(let's say 40 mph and people speed over the limit too)it would probably be much safer to be pulling forward later to go out. In this case safety is more important.

a reply to: Blue_Jay33


I hate the lazy jerks that wait in the isle for someone to get loaded and back out of a parking spot.
You just have too park ten spaces closer to the door of the mall you're going to walk two miles inside. Like that extra fifty feet you walk to the door makes a difference.


Almost forgot...

The fools that seem afraid to turn their steering wheels sharply in reverse......
Crank the wheel lady!

a reply to: Blue_Jay33

Yes.

And then there are the "Pig Parkers" (term stolen from a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode). These people park off-center in a space, spilling over into the adjacent space, making it impossible for anyone else to use that space if someone has or does park within the lines of the next one over. This one particularly pisses me off because it happens SO much, and it's so selfish! People are so self-centered these days and it comes out in so many ways.

Lol, try driving an F350 pulling a dump trailer into a parking lot, then I think you'll know real grief.

a reply to: KansasGirl

I'm always a bit apprehensive about people that park way to close to the line on one side.
Did they park that way because they had to miss the jerk beside them...
Kind of a chain reaction.

Now crooked in a spot is different... They just suck..

originally posted by: Boadicea

originally posted by: Blue_Jay33
a reply to: Boadicea

I am not talking about a persons personal driveway, the parking spot they own, that's different in my opinion.

So I reiterate: We would all be much better off bringing back driver's ed and driver's training and actually teaching people how to drive correctly.

I don't think that would fix the problem, Boa, and I think you're missing the point of the rant.

People know how to drive, and actually, Driver's Ed is required for a license far more broadly today than it was 30 years ago, yet drivers today are far less attentive and courteous. The rant is addressing the selfishness of people.

OP may correct me if im mistaken, but I think the point is that even if you can do it in one shot, if you've got 6 cars waiting on you to back up and then pull into your space instead of just pulling in, then you're considering your time more valuable than at least 6 other people.

More classes and Driver's Ed won't fix the general modern culture and epidemic of lack of manners and common courtesy for others, including strangers.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: KansasGirl

I'm always a bit apprehensive about people that park way to close to the line on one side.
Did they park that way because they had to miss the jerk beside them...
Kind of a chain reaction.

Now crooked in a spot is different... They just suck..

Exactly- it starts a chain reaction that affects everyone who parks there for potentially the rest of the day.

a reply to: KansasGirl

I just think it's harder for the person backing up to hit dead center of the two lines in one shot, there are some good drivers that can do it, but what about those that can't, and they are too lazy to straighten out, now there tire is over the line. So their parking is double selfish and inconsiderate to others. With more and more SUV's on the road it's important for people to center there vehicles between the lines, otherwise doors dings will happen. Sometimes it's so tight you can't even get out or in without your door touching the other person car.

a reply to: KansasGirl

I don't think that would fix the problem, Boa, and I think you're missing the point of the rant. People know how to drive, and actually, Driver's Ed is required for a license far more broadly today than it was 30 years ago...

Not here. All a kid needs is a parent/guardian's signature that the child has completed 30 hours of "supervised driving" and to pass a written and driven test, but the test doesn't include most necessary skills like backing, parallel parking, merging into traffic on the freeway, etc.

...yet drivers today are far less attentive and courteous.

Just as people in general are less attentive and courteous in general.

The rant is addressing the selfishness of people. OP may correct me if im mistaken, but I think the point is that even if you can do it in one shot, if you've got 6 cars waiting on you to back up and then pull into your space instead of just pulling in, then you're considering your time more valuable than at least 6 other people.

Likewise, apparently those six people think their time is more valuable than my time. What else should I not do in order to cater to others? No left turns? Can't inconvenience folks by having them wait for me to wait for oncoming traffic to clear, right? How about pedestrians? Mighty inconsiderate of them to take up space on the roads and make us wait for them, right? And how about those vehicles at a red light that sit in the right lane to go straight and block all the vehicles that want to turn? They don't have to wait for the light except for that darn selfish driver who wants to go straight.

My point is that we all have to share the roads and the parking lots and other public spaces, and expect a little inconvenience and delays at time. It's give and take. It's the nature of the beast. We need to plan our time and route according to our needs. Not expect or demand others to do it for us.

More classes and Driver's Ed won't fix the general modern culture and epidemic of lack of manners and common courtesy for others, including strangers.

Maybe... maybe not. I don't think most people want to be rude, but I sure think lots of people have never learned how to be courteous and considerate of others. If given the chance, I think most people would prefer the courteous and considerate route, just because it makes life easier and more pleasant for everyone. But that means everyone has to give a little.

And of necessity, the best drivers -- as in those with the best driving skills -- will be the most considerate and courteous, because it's the safest way to drive. But the worst drivers -- as in those who just plain don't know any better -- will always be the least considerate and courteous because they don't know any better.

I back up into parkings always , just to have more oversight when exiting , parking area's usually have kids walking around and people , just making sure i got the best view when i exit.

Not always about skill , i drove trucks with trailers for years without licence on a enclosed facility parking them with inches to spare.

But yeah some people take a bit longer , give them time the more you pressure them the more they start to panic wich doesnt help the situation for either party.


In general i think backing up in parkings is safer for everyone because you have less blind spots from your vehicle , but thats just my humble opinion.


I do get the rant though

My issue with parking lots is simple

Just because you treat your car like # dosent mean I do stop leaving your paint on my car it cost more to fix than yours costed to buy

Time is meh I got a extra 5 mins a extra 500+3 hrs at the body shop i do not have to spare

Growing up on a farm we learned to drive from an early age 9 or 10 , farm car was a Volvo 122 2 door I think, it has a 4speed and was fun to drive.
We were taught to back up, we were always reversing and it was fun. We also learned how to drive in the snow, doing donuts was always fun .
Seems like alot of kids these days aren't as excited to drive as we used to be......they don't know how fun it can be and also safe at the same time.

a reply to: Boadicea


Regarding your comment about the six drivers' time being more valuable than yours: well, yes.

If it's one on one, and you've got just one car waiting on you to do your back-in parking, fine. Make the one person wait.

But in the OP's example, you have six other drivers waiting. I would say, and I think most considerate people would say, go with the majority. Making 6 other cars wait for you is selfish. One car, ok...maybe two. But six other drivers: again, go with the majority. But if you're ok with that, I guess I'm glad I don't live in your town.

The rest of the stuff you said regarding "what else should I not do in order to cater to others?" was all just ridiculous. Left turns we have to do. Stopping for pedestrians we have to do. But taking extra time to back into a space (I know, I know, you're a crack driver and can do it in just one extra move) when you have SIX other cars waiting, when you could just pull straight in, is not "catering" to others, it's being inconsiderate. Your "catering" examples don't fit in the same category and I think you, my friend, know it. You like to argue.


About the drivers ed requirement: I'll defer to you there, then. I guess it depends on where you live, and in my area you have to have drivers ed before you can even take the exam for your license.

I don't agree that people are less considerate drivers because they don't know any better. Not always, and again, probably depends on where you live. I'm in a major metropolitan area and people are defintiely rude and know they are rude. I had a guy deliberately speed up when I turned on my turn signal to change lanes on the freeway, not an hour ago on my commute home from work. Daily occurance, and people ride your ass and honk if you're not going fast enough for them (I'm always going as fast as traffic or faster). I could go on. When I visit my family in the Midwest, I expereince none of these or other asshole maneuvers.

We agree on this: society in general is less courteous.

And, the test for licenses don't include all of the skills we have to use, you are right about that. When I took my drivers license test when I was 14 (in Kansas you can get a restricted license, to drive yourself to work or school unaccompanied when you're 14), I had to parallel park, diagonal park, back up parking, and other things they don't have to do to get a license today. You have a good point there.

originally posted by: TheGreazel


In general i think backing up in parkings is safer for everyone because you have less blind spots from your vehicle , but thats just my humble opinion.


I do get the rant though

But here's the thing: when you're BACKING in to your parking space, you have the blind spots you would have when you're exiting the space. So there's no way around that. You either deal with them going in, or if you didn't back in, then you deal with them when you're leaving. So it's not that it's safer to back in, it's just that you're doing the less safe thing on the way in instead of on the way out.