i don't drive through because inevitably, someone would pull in and put the front of their vehicle too close to the back of mine which makes lifting the back door to load things very awkward.

when i'm in a parking lot, whether i'm coming or going, i always watch for backup lights on parked cars. if i see them lit, i wait for the person to back out and leave. i'm not necessarily waiting for their spot, it's more an issue of waiting until they leave so i don't get hit. so many times, i've had people go to back out of a parking spot and be oblivious to traffic moving down the lane.

I seem to pull in most of the time rather than back in. Also like others, I'll take advantage if there is an empty spot ahead and will drive through. Backing out of a parking place is getting more challenging, I have to crane my neck to make sure no one is backing out of an opposite parking place or zooming down the lane. Not as confident anymore. For some reason I never got used to using side mirrors. My new(er) car has a back-up camera but I don't trust it. lol Need practice with that too.

I love my back up camera for spotting pedestrians, especially when I pick up my grandson from school and the kids are kind of oblivious as they walk through the parking lot. I have not yet mastered using it for actual backing up any distance. It has indicators to guide you, but after living in houses for the last 40 years with long windy driveways that I had to back out of, I am an adept backer upper turning to look out the back window. I just don't have the same confidence trying to use the camera to guide me. It's kind of like trying to learn to back a trailer.

I’m sorry that your new car got crunched. ;(

I have witnessed this more than once, and some drivers are moving too fast.

“Another dangerous issue with pull-through parking happens when someone else is attempting to park at the same spot. As you're pulling through and they're parking as normal, the likelihood of both vehicles being involved in a head-on crash increases.”

Read More: Why Pulling Through to Park Could be Illegal in the Hudson Valley | https://wpdh.com/why-pulling-through-to-park-could-be-illegal-in-the-hudson-valley/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

It depends sometimes on whether the parking places are slanted or straight. If straight, i sometimes pull through, although I am very cautious about doing so and only if I can see there is no one approaching the space. I have been about to pull into a space many times when I was at work and people decided to pull through when I was about to park in a vacant space. It was fine until we had a bunch of people who were transferred into our work area from DC. I guess they were used to parking this way to make their work escape easier. We were more laid back and courteous here about it.

About 90% of the time I just pull into a space, park and then back out. I have a great backup camera system but I still check both ways because some idiots cannot seem to follow one-way signs on slanted or one way parking situations for example.

I just got back from running errands (man, am I ever staying off the road today. The traffic!), and was walking through an incredibly busy parking lot. Thought of this thread.

At some point, you will be going forward, and you will be backing. You're taking a risk no matter which direction you're going. All we can do is go gently. And be aware.

Accidents happen if you pull-through, back in, or back out. Doesn't matter. It's what life is made of. Different choices and all we can do is the best by our neighbors, friends, and our community.

Sorry for your unfortunate incident, alisande.

I've long thought of parking lots as a dangerous display of attitudes and conduct of a type that shows what's wrong with our society today. The danger comes from people being too self-centered and selfish, acting too fast and with too little caution for others because they think they are the only precious snowflakes in the world. Snowflakes driving vehicles that are much too large for their needs, too large for parking lots laid out for cars, maneuvered ineptly because of their lack of skills and common sense, and driven and parked without regard to anyone else.

And of course, people in smaller cars do the same thing. But smaller cars of less mass and size are less dangerous to others.

I drive cars, not urban assault vehicles or long distance bulk haulers, and I park nose-in. With backup cameras with peripheral vision, I have good visibility but sometimes that's not enough. It amazes me how often when backing up slowly I experience a car driven by an idiot creating a dangerous situation by going much too fast down the aisle and failing to yield a precious few seconds of their selfish existence to my obvious backing up motion.

Just back from the grocery, where someone backing in had stopped traffic in the lane. One of my pet peeves.

When backing out of parking spots, I put my 4-way flashers on...they see me for sure!! Both pedestrians and vehicles.

“You're taking a risk no matter which direction you're going. All we can do is go gently. And be aware.”

Well said, Rob!

Thanks for all these responses! I wrote a longish post last night, but as I was finishing, the whole thing turned black and disappeared. I was tired, so maybe it was something I did. I'll start again.

Toronto Vet, you're right, of course. I didn't think it through to include pedestrians. I should have, because there were many outside the medical building yesterday, mostly elderly, some using walkers, and at least one I saw in a wheelchair.

Rob, thanks for the link. I didn't understand one of the alleged dangers cited by the author of the article, but the other one, the one that Petalique (thanks!) included in her post, made me think. My car has a front-facing camera in addtion to the rear-facing one, and I've been rather charmed by the fact that it enables me to park perfectly straight and equidistant between the two lines. However, in thinking about it I realize even though the camera is a safety feature, it's not safe at all for the driver's attention to be on the display. I'll start leaving the camera off when I'm parking.

Judi, I sometimes use turn signals in parking lots, most often if I want to turn into an aisle and other cars are around. It's always good to let people know what we're doing--or trying to do.

Nicole, I didn't consider angled spaces in my comments, but yes, pulling through a couple of those could create confusion. The only angled parking I see is in parking garage, and every space is a singleton.

Maire, yes, I would say she was contrite. She didn't say much, but I think she was probably a little shaken, as I was. The nice thing about the incident was that two people--a man and a woman, strangers to me and to each other--stepped up immediately to say they saw the whole thing, and it wasn't my fault. The woman happened to be standing nearby, and the man was parked right next to the car that hit me. He was in the car, which was facing out with its dashboard cam running, so he had a clear video of the collision. He emailed it to me. They were both super nice. I was a little rattled, and although I didn't think I appeared to be so, the woman picked up on it and stuck close to give me good advice throughout.

The only place I regularly saw drivers back in/drive out was Hawaii. I find that annoying -- and unsafe when someone whips out, nose first.

I drive in and back out, whether the spaces are angled or not. That's most common where I live (north of Chicago). It also allows easy access to my car's trunk and space to maneuver a shopping cart without bashing into other vehicles -- and to put my empty cart into a cart corral.

Why park where there's an empty space ahead of you at the time you park? What makes you think that space will stay vacant?

I don't want to encounter someone 'driving hrough', whether I'm driving or as a pedestrian. In either case, I want to be alerted to the vehicle starting to move by seeing back-up lights.

Can I also wish that people without regular need of trucks (SUVs included) choose cars instead? In accidents, cars do less damage to pedestrians and other vehicles, and they contribute less to pollution.

" Can I also wish that people without regular need of trucks (SUVs included) choose cars instead? "

How do you define "regular need"? Every day? Weekly? Monthly? Even though I live alone, I can't imagine driving a small car or coupe with such limited cargo ability. Perhaps if I lived near friends or family with SUVs or pickups I could borrow on occasion, I'd feel differently.

(and less pollution can be solved if you drive electric!)

I hate backing up so would never back into a parking space but have pulled through to the opposite space so I can pull out going forward. I do it more often now that I'm in my little SUV.

Sorry someone damaged your new car. Glad you weren't hurt, though.

" Can I also wish that people without regular need of trucks (SUVs included) choose cars instead? "

Put me on that list too. Driving larger than needed vehicles seems to provide some with perhaps a cocoon or other protection from a world they feel threated by. Is it insecurity or a way to try to flex macho feelings they otherwise don't have? I can't imagine.

So long as they park at the far end of lots and don't pretend to fit in car spots, or selfishly take multiple spots, it's their problem, not mine.

I drive a small Audi wagon. It is 14 years old, so no back-up warning system. I am also short, 5'2" inches now (may have to begin sitting on a telephone book as I did at 16). When there are large SUVs on either side if me, I will need to back at least halfway out of the space before I can see another car coming. I do not speed out if I am pulling forward-I just am able to see without pulling out so far. I only back in when no one is coming from either direction. If need be, I park way across the lot.

Years ago when I had just bought a full sized SUV, I was backing out of a parking spot. I saw no one behind me. I was proceeding slowly and what I thought was carefully when I woman yelled ”STOP!” Her little daughter was behind my SUV and very close to the bumper. I think my heart is still in my throat over that. The car had decent visibility, but no back up camera or alerts.

I have a similar but newer SUV now that has back up camera and alerts, but less of a view.

I don’t use the SUV much, but had to have a vehicle that had fully articulated and heated seats; a cargo area for those times when I need that; and a trailer hitch. It also must be good in snow. For most of my errands, I wish I could use (or owned) a sub-compact car.

I bought my small SUV because I want to continue to garden as I age. It's much harder to lift bags of manure out of a low-to-the-ground car, like my old Altima, than it is from my Rogue. My Rogue also has a tighter turning capability, so it's ten times easier to park than my Altima was in somewhat tight parking lots. I also wanted a vehicle that was easier for me to get in and out of. I'm pretty sure my Altima was bigger, the Rogue is just higher off the ground.

I can't imagine not having a truck. We have always had a car and a truck, even after moving out of the country, and into town. My dad (82 now) gave up his truck about 10 years ago-due to moving to a housing commmunity 55 years and up and his truck wouldn't fit in the garage, so got a car instead-it was so strange seeing him at first, not driving his truck. Of course, he had ours to borrow if he ever needed it, and now we do all those kinds of things for him, if needed. You rarely come across a family around here who doesn't have a truck also.

I don't back into parking spaces nor do I move forward into an empty space in front for a later forward exit. I may occasionally exit forward IF the space in front is empty AND there's sufficient surrounding view to confirm no cross-traffic.

Well, the powers to be in town decided it was better at the Mid City to have only back in parking because of pedesterians walking across the road to restaurants. It is the site of an old mall and why they did not design it different, is something only the future will know.

Our Costco is smaller and not often busy so I'm likely to pop in a few times a week. I am always amazed at all the vehicles that pull through/back in. They do know they are at Costco right? Home of the bulky buying? I once saw a backed up truck pulled forward into the lane so they could get to the back of the vehicle to load their stuff.

" I can't imagine not having a truck. "

And there are loads of people who can't imagine having one, for so very many reasons.

" You rarely come across a family around here who doesn't have a truck also. "

To my way of thinking, then you don't need one yourself. Where I live, you rarely come across a family who HAS a truck.

Remember to be considerate when you park.

I have often wanted one of every vehicle type. There is so much variety and different uses for each kind. I don't think a truck would do me when I want to go down winding road with the top down. Neither does a Miata work for taking home furniture, not that I haven't done it. I have carried a table or two in my little teeny tiny car. And I really can't pick up my child, her girlfriend and my child's future mother-in-law from the airport with either one of those vehicles.

I don't think any one vehicle is better than another, except in certain circumstances.

Personal preference is personal preference

The topic is parking and the problems overly large vehicles and people who drive and park selfishly and dangerously.

" problems overly large vehicles and people who drive and park selfishly and dangerously. "

Which really has little to do with the type of vehicle......there are big and small SUVs, and big and small pickup trucks, for that matter. Just like there are big and small cars.

Having a self-righteous day today, eh?

OMG Elmer! What a twit.

@ rob - that's why my dream car has long been a Ford Ranchero or a Chevy El Camino 🙂

LOL, Sherry 😄

I dig old school station wagons too....

And there are loads of people who can't imagine having one, (a truck) and these are the same people begging a truck owner to help them to pick up something big for them. Big trucks and 64 ford Rancheros deserve 2 spaces in a parking lot, and if I'm pulling a trailer I take 4 and the tandem trailer gets 7 spots. Only a twit would complain. It's not Faaair.

Is it insecurity or a way to try to flex macho feelings they otherwise don't have?

or maybe it's none of the above.

back in the day when i pulled a 3-horse trailer almost every weekend, i had a 4wd extended cab long bed truck. i also had a full time job and drove that truck to work 5 days a week unless the weather was nice enough for me to ride my motorcycle.

There are big people and there are small people.

I had a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I adored that vehicle. It passed in 2015 and I bought a Honda Odessey. It was great for a few years hauling the grands around.

It is now just a car I do not need. The Jeep could tow a boat, camper, or a trailer. It also could haul stuff home from the garden shop or the lumber yard. Well, the Honda just slops around and goes to the grocery. I have to rely on the husband and his truck to bring stuff home.

I HATE THAT!

Big trucks and SUVs are common today, but those of us old enough, recall the so-call land-boats before Japanese cars took hold in the US. Try a 60's Cadillac, for example. It's just as long as a modern GMC Suburban, 224" vs 226".

Dad bought a Ford Galaxy in the early sixties. It had an air conditioner under the dash! It was his first new car. The thing was a tank! The biggest suv today would of been a toy beside it.

Sushi, they were long, but not so high as to block views. As much as I dislike beng hemmed in by two of them in a parking lot, I really dislike being behind an SUV on the highway. I learned to drive with a 1965 Chevy Impala convertible. Loved that car-navy blue with a white roof.

Funny, those long sedans. I think of them as sleds.

Nina, you are boss!

This reminded me my dad had a Lincoln Continental in the 80s - red with white leather interior - driving that thing felt like being in a huge boat sailing down the road 😄

(photo found on the web)

^^^ Oh, carolb!

Too bad we can't have individual 'capsules' to take us where we want to go, instead of hauling all this metal around -- at great expense -- every time *one person* wants to go somewhere too far to walk. Why do cars and trucks look so much like the carts and carriages they replaced?

Where IS that 'transporter room' anyway?

" every time *one person* wants to go somewhere too far to walk. "

You mean like a taxi?

A huge part of the country does not have access to taxis. Not everyone lives in cities or towns with taxis. Uber? Maybe, if you don't mind getting into an unregulated car with a stranger who has little oversight. Not sure how common they are in rural areas and the distances might be prohibitive in many areas.

" Not sure how common they are in rural areas and the distances might be prohibitive in many areas. "

I live in a rural area, and cabs are hard to find. But my comment was sarcastic...obviously, I forgot the sarcasm font.

'threated' Elmer?

if an uber or taxi ended up out here, s/he would obviously be hopelessly lost! 😂

" 'threated' Elmer? "

I'd be glad to answer your question, if I knew what your question is.

Unfortunately, often it's children and elderly who are killed in back-up crashes.

In a parking lot, it may feel easier and quicker to go nose-first into a space. However, the time it takes to back in is saved when safely leaving by pulling out.

Trying to back out, into oncoming traffic or the path of pedestrians, the driver’s view is impaired by other parked cars which increases blind spots. Backing out is more difficult and risky than backing into a parking space.

By backing in, a driver is going into a known space. When leaving, the parking space, the driver is able to see the surroundings more clearly.

Stunning, MDLN. Parking lots are dicey. A lot of drivers are moving too fast and not always paying attention. And I’ve witnessed a lot of clueless, inattentive pedestrians.

I never walk behind a vehicle with its backup lights on. Oh, one thing I notice, is that even along the busy strip in front of stores there are people who zip along.

Returning a shopping cart can be hazardous.