Safe Speed Forums

Does it matter when parking if you go in nose first or reverse in?
Personally I reverse in, this stems from my Chauffeuring days in London and these days driving a van (boot near a wall to hinder access to thieves).

I almost always reverse in - that way I have more control of my surroundings because I can see better. That and I actually find reversing into a tight space easier than driving in - stick the back end where you want it and then swing the front end round to suit.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

always reverse, you can make a quicker get away

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now retired

More often than not, I drive in, especially multi stories and supermarkets, because I don't like having to push the trolley over the roof of the car to get to the boot.

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Semper in excreta, nur quantitat variat.

This is one of those things where as a general rule it is better to do one thing (i.e. reverse in) but there are some circumstances (e.g. loading the boot with shopping) where it is more practical to go in forward.

If you insist on it as a hard and fast rule there are situations where you'll end up looking daft.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

PeterE: "If you insist on it as a hard and fast rule there are situations where you'll end up looking daft."

What like speed camera partnerships

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There are a lot of factors to consider:

* Security - it might be better to back van doors tight to a wall.
* Access - it might be better to leave a tailgate or back doors in an open space for easy loading
* Speed of arrival - if we're turning up at hospital with an urgent patient then nose in is faster
* Speed of departure - if you're not in a rush when you park it makes sense to allow for the fact that you might be when you leave.
* Vision - it's generally better to reverse in because you will have been able to get a good recent view of the space you are about to traverse in reverse.
* Layout - occasionally a corner space will be difficult to use unless you take account of the layout and nose in or reverse in depending.
* Views - Sometimes nose in is the way to see the scenery.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

There is also the effect of having the steering wheels at the front.
If you nose into a tight gap, then you will not be able to turn the wheels fully, until you are clear of the space.
If somebody has obstructed the space behind since you parked, then you are reduced to going back and forth until you can wriggle out.

Reverse in, and you can start to turn gently the moment your steering front wheels leave the space.

One thing I am curious about.... If I drive my mum to a supermarket, is it OK to park in a parent and child bay?

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

Good one!

I tend to go in nose first as a general rule. I find it easier to reverse into the open space to leave, rather then reversing between two cars. That's not to say I can't do it or never do it, just that I generally don't.

I always reverse in, except for the times when I don't.

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Only when ideology, prejudice and dogma are set aside does the truth emerge - Kepler