Parking techniques

[Grippy]

I reverse in whenever I can, I'd much prefer to leave a car space moving forward with better vision

[Jack91]

Those "batman" style car things arent that expensive. A mate has one in his speccy new hotel (it has led's around it and checkerplates and all that) but I think that was only about $15K

[388cube_edxr8]

Originally Posted by mrbaxr6t

reverse parking has merits but if you are going to return to the car with a fully laden trolley of groceries reverse parking up to a wall in a carpark is stupid so you drive in, if you are parking on the side of the road, reverse parking makes sense in the same scenario as you can load boot from footpath and dont have to worry about the camber on the road dragging the trolley into the back of your car, and for idiots driving past clipping you or your trolley or both, it depends where I am and what I am doing as to how I park, both should be an option as there are arguments for both, and at home there is a very strong argument for a batman style car turntable drive in spin round drive out

I used a loading dock like that once in the city. It was really cool. Especially so because the reverse gear in my ute had departed to attempt life on it's own.

As a side note, it is (apparently) illegal to reverse out of a driveway. You are supposed to reverse in so you can drive out forward.

[sudszy]

Originally Posted by 388cube_edxr8

I used a loading dock like that once in the city. It was really cool. Especially so because the reverse gear in my ute had departed to attempt life on it's own.

As a side note, it is (apparently) illegal to reverse out of a driveway. You are supposed to reverse in so you can drive out forward.

I heard this being discussed on talkback the other day, though no one mentioned it was law.

What certainly is law is that you are not allowed to reverse out of a driveway on to the other side of the road, though no one really cares in suburban streets.

In terms of what is safer, well certainly no one doubts that driving out forwards is the way to go, but reversing in on a busy road?

Either you dangerously and inconsiderately stop traffic while you go past your driveway and reverse in, or you wait at the curb beside your driveway until there is a lull so you can reverse in without having to completely stop traffic.

When you are reversing out, one has to wait for a lull in the traffic until it is safe too, so what is the difference?

The difference is that while you are waiting you are not on the actual roadway if you are reversing out, while if you reverse in you are taking up space on the roadway while you are waiting, that in itself creating congestion and a safety issue.

In regards to reversing into parks at shopping centres, never considered it, but cant see why you'd want to if it means you cant get at the boot of the car easily. Others might mistake one's intentions or take advantage, and try and drive into the park forwards as you go past it and line up to reverse into it

[GasoLane]

Ah yes. Reverse angle parking. Without doubt the best way to stuff up traffic flow.

(You can always tell if a car comes from a town with this system. The left rear mudflap is missing )

[v8falconsrule]

Well I'm disappointed, I thought this was about techniques to GO parking.....

I prefer to reverse in where possible, easier to get out.

[Kingsley]

Reverse in where ever I can including my own driveway and shed. I find it more dangerous backing out into traffic. Especially if the kids are in the car.

[g220ba]

Well the discussion sort of went in the direction i thought it would. As some have mentioned in certain situations both options do have their merits. Very interesting to read some of the reasoning behind some of the answers though.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BluFGXR6

. I find it more dangerous backing out into traffic.

when i lived in brissie as a kid, my folks would always reverse into their drive. we lived on a semi main road and i vaguely remember my dad saying something about it being illegal to reverse out onto the road.

we never held up traffic backing in as it is a wide road so you just pull into the gutter and wait for a gap, then back in.

not sure if it is still a law. i would assume it only relates to backing on to a main road.

[LANKY 1]

I found with my ute it has the worst turning circle ever and trying to drive in forwards is often dificult. have to almost do a 3 point turn to get in. reversing in is certainly easier because the front will swing around more. I still prefer to drive in if i can.

[Jim Goose]

Quite possibly the reversing backwards is a technicality?
You cant drive backwards down a road into oncoming traffic, which is what your doing once you reverse into oncoming traffic?

But then if you go past your driveway to reverse into it, still breaking the same rule?

Dont ever recall when learning to drive any mention about reversing out of a drive... but then with some age the memory does fade

[Big Bird 17]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I can't reverse park very good, so I just drive around until I find a parking spot I can drive through into, lol. I don't see how it is "easier" to reverse park, its a pain in the ***, its easier to judge distance through the windscreen then it is through mirrors. Also the mirrors in my Fiesta seem to be different from the right and left side, and the rear vision mirror is the only one which is a "normal" mirror.

When I did my driving test, they just asked me to do a 3 point turn, so easy since you can use a driveway now.

If you are reverse parking in a shopping centre have a look at your reflection in the shop window so you can see how close you are to the car behind you.

[Auturbo6]

I drive in forward as it's easier and cheaper to replace my standard rear bar over my TE50 front bar, if someone were to reverse into it.

[NickyN]

Originally Posted by Big Bird 17

If you are reverse parking in a shopping centre have a look at your reflection in the shop window so you can see how close you are to the car behind you.

Or look at your car's reflection on the side panel of the car next to you. I've done it and it works when you want to know how close you are to the car behind you (if reversing into a stall). Kinda difficult if that car is filthy/dirty/dusty/or covered in horrid bumper stickers. Difficult to imagine but I've seen cars like that.

[aussie muscle]

Bombala has rear to kerb parking in the main street. most locals struggle with it, most visitors are baffled by it, most victorians park front in anyway.

Cooma is front to kerb parking. it's easier to find a spot and jump right into it, but as OP pointed out, you are then backing into oncoming traffic.