Howdy everybody. I have been all over the info sites to try and find this out**, and no luck. So, hoping someone out there in CS la la land might know: Why do some parking lots prohibit backing in to the space, even if it obviously makes getting out easier? (I would think there would be less accidents because most parking lot accidents occur backing out, and not seeing an on-coming car.) Anybody know the science behind this seemingly ridiculous rule?
2girlsnocupunknown, Greater London, England UK2,621 posts
rohaan: Howdy everybody. I have been all over the info sites to try and find this out**, and no luck. So, hoping someone out there in CS la la land might know: Why do some parking lots prohibit backing in to the space, even if it obviously makes getting out easier? (I would think there would be less accidents because most parking lot accidents occur backing out, and not seeing an on-coming car.) Anybody know the science behind this seemingly ridiculous rule?
Because of the exhaust gases being pumped into the walking area. Also, so the police can cruise around the lots looking for untaxed cars.
rohaan: Howdy everybody. I have been all over the info sites to try and find this out**, and no luck. So, hoping someone out there in CS la la land might know: Why do some parking lots prohibit backing in to the space, even if it obviously makes getting out easier? (I would think there would be less accidents because most parking lot accidents occur backing out, and not seeing an on-coming car.) Anybody know the science behind this seemingly ridiculous rule?
I did not know this answer so I looked for it. This is what I found...
Question: I got a parking ticket the other day for backing into my parking space in the parking structure on Pomona Avenue near the Metrolink station. I was in a corner spot where backing out would have required me to make a three-point turn in a blind corner.
Why does Fullerton require head-in parking? It's a two-way parking structure with perpendicular spaces, so there isn't a problem with people pulling out the wrong way the way it would be in an angled spot.
The sour grapes in me (the part that had to write the $25 check) says that it's either a way for Fullerton to get some money through an arbitrary rule, or it's a way to recoup money lost by not being able to inspect people's license plate stickers What's the real reason?
Dave Lieberman
Anaheim
Answer: I checked with Lt. Kevin Hamilton of the Fullerton Police Department. He said historically, the rule was originally designed for parking lots with shrubbery and trees when the wheel base from the rear to the front was longer. Cars would back into spaces and often damage the plants.
Dave Langstaff, traffic engineering analyst for the city, filled in the rest of the information. He said, first of all, parking structures and parking lots should all be posted with "no-backing-in" signs. With this ruling, police will be able to check if rear license plates are registered and legal.
Also, it's a standard policy to have lot permit tags in the front windows and parking stickers on the back sides of the cars for employees. This prevents motorists from parking in the wrong spaces.
I personally prefer to be backed into a parking space. I drive a big pickup truck, and yep, backing out into a crowded parking lot is more dangerous than pulling out forward. I also ride a motorcycle, and yep, no reverse gear so it is better for me to find a spot to park where I can swing around and head out when first parking than to have to push/pull the bike out of a slot after cars have filled in around it. Maybe the law was sponsered by the insurance companies as a way to raise both their own and city's revenues... PS No, I am NOT cynical in the least.
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