The habit of some Mainahs (school, shop, design)

[Zymer]

It's easier to back into a tight spot than to pull into it. Pulling in you need more room for the front end to track, it makes a wider swing.

Same thing for backing out, if the cars on either side have parked too closely to yours you run the risk of bumping one if the lane through the lot is narrow, you need to go further straight back before you start the turn.

[forest beekeeper]

I do not mind backing in to a parking spot.

I have served six years doing Law Enforcement, and responded to a lot of Traffic accidents involving folks backing out of parking spaces into traffic. It is really dangerous, to be backing into a land of traffic. In most lots you can not see if anyone is coming along. And doing police reports, if anyone had their vehicle transmission in 'reverse' they are automatically at fault.

I got into the habit of backing into parking spaces, as it is easier to get going again.

However I also see the advantages of being easier to jump each others cars. I do carry jumper cables, and I have jumped folk's cars.

I feel much safer leaving a parking space by driving forward.

[tlb71]

I have noticed Maine drivers to be more patient possibly because there isn't as much traffic here. I think in more populated areas you would get blasted by someone's horn if you held up the flow of traffic at the mall to back into a spot. It definitely is safer to move forward which is why I use the "pull through" strategy myself and I park as far away from other cars as I can. We have lived all over and I just never noticed so many people "backing in".
Maybe all of those traffic incidents in lots were the "sober" people on the beer run

[Jpurvis]

I think this is a neat discussion. Would be interesting to see the way certain things are done, whether it is just because you want to or if it is something that all us out of towners headin your way should know. Some of us will be dealing with issues we never had to before. Should be interesting !!!

[elston]

In that light Jpurvis, warn your kids not to put their tongue on the bridge railing or the flag pole in the freezing weather!

[genmomto5]

Originally Posted by elston

In that light Jpurvis, warn your kids not to put their tongue on the bridge railing or the flag pole in the freezing weather!

Warn them? Where's the fun in that? :P

[MinuteMan]

Originally Posted by Zymer

It's easier to back into a tight spot than to pull into it.

That depends on what your driving and how much you value your possesion. or With a full size vehicle or pickup, your more likely to bump another while backing in and also you'll need some space to allow to put items in the trunk therefore making the lanes narrower. Either way its a no win situation.

[mollysmiles]

MM you have a point. I rarely back in when I'm driving the van, because chances are good I won't be able to open the back as easily....the draw back is the visibility isn't as good backing out into traffic It's just one of those things for me that how I park depends on what I'm driving and what I'm doing.....go figure huh?

[tlb71]

Minute Man I have a 4runner with those handy mirrors mounted on either side of the cargo area in back and I still find it difficult to judge how close I am to the vehicle behind me if I back in. I personally think it is easier to back out.

I have noticed something else about some drivers here, they really hug the yellow line and sometimes come across it. Now I know everywhere you have those that like to take their 1/2 from the middle, but again it seems to happen a lot here so I find myself hugging the shoulder just in case...

Maybe this has something to do with snow being piled up on the side of the roads several months of the year. Maybe it is fear of a critter jumping in front of you. Maybe they are actually from MASS. Maybe it is because 1/2 the year you can't see the lines because the plows have scrapped them off or they are covered w/salt & sand.

[Jpurvis]

El,
I watch the movie " A Christmas Story" every year with the scene of the kid sticking his tongue on the flag pole. When my kids come and visit or better yet, my grandson, will be sure and tell him about that one.