Parking

[Saracen]

A mate of mine, many years ago, had a really, REALLY tatty, rusty and thoroughly decrepit old Landrover, with honking great iron bumpers. He didn't have to worry about getting his nice, shiny car dented, largely because it would have been a challenge to find anywhere where a dent would have shown. Actually finding a shiny bit to dent would've been a major achievement. A knock was more likely to knock another dent out than cause more damage. For some reason, people never used to park next to, or even very near to him. They gave his vehicle a very wide berth. I wonder why?

[hitman67]

This is what I tend to do, I try not to park in a bay next to any 4x4 Landrover

I am always careful in mine as I know my door is on about glass level at most cars, and my drivers door has two large dents from off road damage so people tend not to park to close. Pretty much as Saracen has said above. My dad used to have the same situation in his rusty, dirty old Escort van with a beacon on top as everyone thought it was just another builders van.

I remember what it was like with my A4 so I always try to park considerably, although I have noticed some spaces seem to have been designed for hatchbacks so my poor 110 ends up either too wide or with her backside sticking out even though the front towbar is touching the wall/hedge/other car infront of it.

[Funkstar]

I just find it easier to reverse in, and I feel it's safe than reversing out... especially in a busy car park :

We're all different I guess

I prefer to reverse in as well. I find it easier, especially when in busy supermarket car parks.

It is also good practise. More and more offices you visit require you to reverse park when using their car parks, for exactly this reason. Reversing into a space is a known quantity and your vision is not hampered compaired to reversing out.

This might be an oil industry thing, they are obsessed with health and safety, best practise and being "best in class" etc.

[Rave]

I think I may just park on the line between two spaces..

That's a red rag to a bull to someone like me. My old MR2 had no intact panels on it at all, so I had precisely nothing to lose. If I was in a busy carpark with very few spaces left and someone had parked so that they were over the line, I would cram it in there if I could, even if I had to climb out of the window, or do a houdini act to escape through the six inch gap between door and car. The inconvenience to me of a bit of gymnastics before work was nothing compared to the joy I got thinking about the shenanigans the twatty driver of the other car would have.

The solution to this conundrum is to always drive an old car that's already done most of its depreciation. Alternatively, gaffa tape a load of foam rubber to your door if your rubbing stips ain't up to the job. DON'T use it as an excuse to park like a knob.

[Howard]

I don't understand people who do this - as if it's easier to reverse a car into a small space between two cars than to reverse out into a large space devoid of cars...

I guess it makes for faster getaways...?

I like to be able to see if I'm about to squash a small child running riot while it's mother loads her car with shopping

[SilentDeath]

Safety is nothing to do with reversing out. Its laziness and inability to use mirrors properly. Id much rather reverse out, especially in some car parks where a queue of traffic forms behind you as you park....

Rave if you park like that you might find windows get smashed... there are always plenty more spaces..

but remember my complaint is that people do it whilst im sitting in the car. Also I work for royal mail... so I guess that's what you expect in possibly the only company that requires you to throw customers property...new thread I thinks...

[Funkstar]

Safety is nothing to do with reversing out. Its laziness and inability to use mirrors properly. Id much rather reverse out, especially in some car parks where a queue of traffic forms behind you as you park....

Reversing out doesn't take any longer than reversing in. driving straight in take the same as driving straight out. So there is no net gain or loss in either method of parking,

[Butcher]

I don't understand people who do this - as if it's easier to reverse a car into a small space between two cars than to reverse out into a large space devoid of cars...

I guess it makes for faster getaways...?

I find it easier to reverse into a space, especially if the lane between the spaces is tight so you have no space to swing the front out before going in. I can usually get into a space in one move reversing, but forwards often takes three unless there's more space.

[chadders]

The joy that can be obtained from "door bangers" when you catch them in the act:-

1. they never notice you looking at them until they hit your door.
2. they look totally agreived when you open your door and hit their door with the same force.

I know, two wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes they make your day.

As for parking at a supermarket, I think it's best to park forwards leaving the boot easily accessible to the shopping trolley - unlike the tw@t who obviously attempted to fit a trolley down the gap next to my car...

[SilentDeath]

Reversing out doesn't take any longer than reversing in. driving straight in take the same as driving straight out. So there is no net gain or loss in either method of parking,

Maybe in a big carpark but I can think of several smaller ones where cars follow so close that its impracticle to reverse in.

[soopahfly]

I find parking my dad's 07 Hilux easy. Trailer on the back... park across 8 bays.

[Barakka]

The reason for reversing into spaces is that the end of the car which needs the most sideways space (ie the front with the steering) in order to manoeuvre is out of the space within a foot or two of movement.

[SilentDeath]

I was thinking abotu this today in one of my verrrrrrrrrrrry long boroing 12 hours at work..

Carparks, most of them, are private property.. and therefore not covered by the road traffic act.

If you hit a car, and cause damage, does this mean you can only be done for vandalism? and that one does not need to give any insurance details or any atall (as the RTA states).


Becuase Ive aways thought speed limits dont apply in carparks.. the worst they can do is ban you from the area (but will it be enforced?..) not that you can speed in most... but nm...


Ive found a much better area of the car park though...

[chadders]

Most car parks are "accessible to the public", therefore the RTA does apply.

[Tomahawk]

I usually try and park on an end space soo if for any reason someone decides to hit my car.. It'll only affect one side.

As said though I've witnessed so many people doing this without a thought for the damage being done.. and I haven't even beeen driving for ages!

Mostly try to park on the end or next to a newer car than my own, in the hope they have some respect for their vehicle!