A badly parked car in a private car park.

amandstu

So I park my car at the local shop in one of the demarcated slots ,do my shopping and get back in the car .

I reverse out very slowly and look in the mirror at about the same time.(I realize I should look in the mirror before anything but I am a bit lazy...)

I see that there is a car right behind me that has parked in an undemarcated space and is boxing me in.

With a 5 or 6 point turn I am able to get out and be on my way.

Then I think ,"What If I had reversed into that car.Would it just have been my own fault?"

Is it just a lesson to always anticipate the worst when driving a car?

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058349322/a-badly-parked-car-in-a-private-car-park

If the car was stationary I believe you are at fault in this instance. In any event who would want the hassle.

JayRoc

Should you look behind you before reversing your car???

Yes. Yes you should.

Jesus wept.

What if a person was standing there?

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058349322/a-badly-parked-car-in-a-private-car-park

Definitely you should check if the way is clear whether you are reversing or going forward.

Shop car parks are used by vehicles and pedestrians so extra care is necessary.

magicbastarder

I don't think this thread is going to go well for the OP.

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122074731#Comment_122074731

You are right.What I should have said is that I tend to look in the mirrors around the same time I disengage the clutch.

I also try to look around before I do anything but don't always do that.

Maybe others do that and I will acknowledge that that is better and correct.

I don't claim to be the best driver and with the best will in the world I sometimes get it wrong for one reason or another.

The reason for not seeing the car earlier (apart from omitting the preliminary checks) was that this car was positioned on an unexpected position (out of place) .

So I may even have looked before disengaging the clutch but didn't notice the car because I fidn't expect it to be there.(that is a psychological thing ,I am quite sure)

Anyway ,apart from my failings ,my question was whether the other car would bear any responsibility for any scrape because they were not in a properly indicated parking space (and had blocked the other car in)

Probably not ,I seem to hear.So just expect the unexpected if at all possible.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075120#Comment_122075120

It was a parked car, so if you hit it it's on you. How did you not even see it before you got into your own car never mind about not checking mirrors. Maybe be more aware of your surroundings in future before even getting into the car. Also, thank you for giving me a new word for parking space.

Mr Disco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058349322/a-badly-parked-car-in-a-private-car-park

are you a learner or novice driver?

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075167#Comment_122075167

No.

Ted222

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075120#Comment_122075120

“You are right.What I should have said is that I tend to look in the mirrors around the same time I disengage the clutch.

I also try to look around before I do anything but don't always do that.”

So now you know it’s not optional. Lesson learned.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075120#Comment_122075120

my question was whether the other car would bear any responsibility

i know this is going to sound nitpicky, but cars cannot bear any responsibility. they are machines.

if you hit a stationary object, the only person to blame is you. and that goes for something like a low wall, let alone something the size of a parked car. did you not see it as you got back to your car, even before you actually started your engine to pull away?

I also try to look around before I do anything but don't always do that.

umm… if you're deliberately trying to undermine your own position, 10 out of 10. keep it up, you're doing a stellar job.

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075322#Comment_122075322

"umm… if you're deliberately trying to undermine your own position, 10 out of 10. keep it up, you're doing a stellar job"

Explain.What is my position and how am I trying to undermine it.

How is the thread "not going to go well for me?"

What do you mean by that?

magicbastarder

you have claimed to not always look around before moving your car, in a thread where you're asking can someone else be to blame for possible damage as a result of your failures in observation. by my book, the thread is not going well for you.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075360#Comment_122075360

I think it means what everybody on here has replied to your post, how can you think this thread will show anything other than the fact you weren't paying enough attention before and after you got into your car?

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075120#Comment_122075120

I also try to look around before I do anything but don't always do that.

Jesus christ. What if there was a child or another pedestrian, behind you?

You need to look behind you BEFORE disengaging anything. Every time.

I sincerely hope your original post is a wind up.. Anyone who is careless enough to start reversing without looking first, deserves to have their licence revoked.

Raichų

OP if you don’t check your mirrors before reversing or moving off at all you should not be driving.

o1s1n

'GOSHO' - Gear, Observe, Signal, Handbrake, observe

Youll note there's two observes in that.

amandstu

As I posted before ,I tend to sometimes disengagage the clutch (carefully) at the same time as i check the mirrors.

It is one action.

Often(maybe more often than not) ,I will check the mirrors (and turn my head) before I go anywhere near the clutch.

I have the suspicion that this is what most people do but I will pay attention to what I see others doing and if I am wrong I will do as they do.

(Very hard to tell by looking at drivers to see if they have looked carefully before disengaging the clutch ,so I won't try doung that)

I still think the optimal time to check the mirrors is just as the car starts to move.

It must also be very good practice to check prior to that but not as effective.

The pedestrian or a moving car can appear at the very moment you start to move ,so that it seems to me is the most important time

And ,yes check before as well

I have admitted to not always doing that (when distracted probably) but not to reversing before checking the mirrors.

GSBellew

Did you not see the car that was boxing you in when you walked back to and got into your car?

con747

"I have admitted to not always doing that (when distracted probably) but not to reversing before checking the mirrors." Stop digging and take a refresher driving course.

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075453#Comment_122075453

I do .I will turn the key ,look in the mirrors (maybe turn around) ,push in the clutch and engage the reverse gear.

Then ,continuing to look in the mirrors I will slowly reverse .

What I don't generally do is to look in the mirror before I start the engine.

Do you?

When I said in the OP "I realize I should look in the mirror before anything but I am a bit lazy...)

I was referring to the time before I start the engine.

"Anything" meant anything to do with starting the car not "making any movement with the car"

That is also a good time to look in the mirrors but not as effective,I find.

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075396#Comment_122075396

@magicbastarder can answer for himself.I notice he/she only answered what he felt like answering.

magicbastarder

Sorry, I didn't look before I answered.

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075520#Comment_122075520

Thanks .I think that is what I do.

Nothing about the clutch in that(you do the clutch at the same time as you release the handbrake, I think)

Rock Steady Edy

This situation reminds me of a time about 10 years ago when I was stationary at a junction in an underground car park and a car was reversing out of a car park space towards the front of my car, albeit at low speed. My car was quite new to me and I couldn't find the horn in time before he hit me. There was no damage to my car (I think he only made contact with the number plate), but the driver of the other car tried to pull a fast one and make out some minor damage to his vehicle was my fault. I submitted the required insurance report and never heard any more about it.

It's 100% your responsibility to make sure the way is clear before you move. If you couldn't get out because the way they parked blocked you, the only sensible thing to do is wait for them to return. Probably a good idea to stop being "lazy", as you put it.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075567#Comment_122075567

You should always check the post above/below and all other posts before replying and only then post slowly.

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075567#Comment_122075567

Maybe you should have out of decency?

amandstu

I was blocked but was able to get out by means of 5 or 6 3 point turns.

Why should my day be taken up waiting for an inconsiderate parker?

Have you ever blocked someone like that?

I would have to make an exception for delivery drivers as they have less choice and you know they will be back soon.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075587#Comment_122075587

OP I think you should just give up here, you didn't see a parked car which by your own account took 5-6 3 point turns to get past so how the hell did you not see the car when you were walking back to get into your own car. If it took that many manoeuvres the car had to be very close to your car.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075523#Comment_122075523

Would you stop digging. Jesus christ that is woeful. The car being badly parked is irrelevant. Cars are supposed to pass behind you in the aisle, and should be expected to be here stationary, at any time.

"I tend to sometimes disengagage the clutch (carefully) at the same time as i check the mirrors. It is one action."

That is awful driving. You are assuming there is no obstacle and that the way is clear. If there is an obstruction, you are hoping that you can react before is comes an issue. This is dumb.

I still think the optimal time to check the mirrors is just as the car starts to move.

Obviously it's not, as you are decided to move before confirming it is clear. And I also think that the above is a lie and you don't actually think that's optimal. Reminder what you said in OP

I reverse out very slowly and look in the mirror at about the same time.(I realize I should look in the mirror before anything but I am a bit lazy..

You acknowledged what you did was lazy and wrong. Don't now pretend you think its optimal. It's embarrassing.

It must also be very good practice to check prior to that but not as effective.

The pedestrian or a moving car can appear at the very moment you start to move ,so that it seems to me is the most important time

Checking before is more effective, not less effective. Yes, an obstacle can appear at any moment. You check the way is clear before you move, and you continue to observe as you move off. There is no gap in observation. The fact this has to be explained is worrying.

And the attempt at moving the goal posts to "I meant not before starting the car" is laughable. That's not what you said;

 …look in the mirror at about the same time.
…I tend to look in the mirrors around the same time I disengage the clutch.
…I tend to sometimes disengagage the clutch (carefully) at the same time as i check the mirrors.

bobbyD1978

Op, you are a bad driver.... The world of boards users has unanimously voted it so.

Accept it, change and move on.

And reverse into parking spaces as well please as most cars are designed to do

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075607#Comment_122075607

"And reverse into parking spaces as well please as most cars are designed to do"

Not the car that was badly parked. And ,when I think of it none of the cars where I was parked were reversed in either (or ever are)

Don't know if that is because it is "uphill" a bit but everyone drives straight in.

Are you being sarcastic with your "most cars are designed to do "?

It doesn't make sense to me otherwise.

amandstu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075599#Comment_122075599

"Would you stop digging. Jesus christ that is woeful. The car being badly parked is irrelevant. Cars are supposed to pass behind you in the aisle, and should be expected to be here stationary, at any time"

No they should not.You should not park where you are blocking cars that are parked .

"That is awful driving. You are assuming there is no obstacle and that the way is clear. If there is an obstruction, you are hoping that you can react before is comes an issue. This is dumb."

Wish that made sense.Do you mind if I leave the writers' group now?

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075548#Comment_122075548

There is no "maybe turn around". Turn tf around and check. Every time.

I ask this of you as someone who has lived through the experience of identifying the body of a four year old child crushed to death by a driver who reversed their vehicle without due care and attention.

I'm out.

Mr Disco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075523#Comment_122075523

I feel some driving lessons may be if use to you

Baseball72

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058349322/a-badly-parked-car-in-a-private-car-park

how is this still a debate at 4am? A embarrassing post.

CelticRambler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075120#Comment_122075120

didn't notice the car because I fidn't expect it to be there

In all the to and fro above, it seems like no-one else has found this phrase to be more disturbing than the exact timing of when the OP checks his/her mirrors. Noticing the unexpected is a fundamental requirement for safe driving, whether forwards or in reverse.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075641#Comment_122075641

Just because no one else was, doesn't mean you shouldn't be. Generally (although there are exceptions with slanted spaces), you should reverse into a parking spot. This is the same for your drive way if you can't do a U turn in it. It is not safe to reverse into what is effectively a roadway, in fact it is illegal to do so from your driveway. This is all off point though. You should always be observing, if your foot is even coming to the bite before you are looking, then you are doing it wrong. Also asking was a stationary obstacle in the wrong if you collided. Yes, they maybe a d1ck, but the two facts are mutually exclusive. Them being a d1ck does not alleviate your observational issues.

JVince

When I was learning to drive (long long long time ago), the instructor told me to be aware of my surroundings BEFORE getting into the car.

He'd test me every time we had a lesson, such as asking the colour of the car behind or approx distance between the cars.

It was a great lesson that served me well over the years and something the OP could take on board.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075647#Comment_122075647

No they should not.You should not park where you are blocking cars that are parked .

Where did I say that cars are supposed to block you in?

Cars are supposed to pass behind you in the aisle…

When you are in a parking space. Cars will drive along the aisle, passing your car. Those cars in the aisle, have priority over cars leaving parking spaces. This should not have to be explained tbh.

Wish that made sense. Do you mind if I leave the writers' group now?

Checking if its clear only when you start to take off is terrible driving, if that doesn't make sense to you, then you probably shouldn't have a license.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075730#Comment_122075730

I did notice that, but didn't give any credibility to a "maybe I looked" hypothetical. It would be much worse if it were true.

A "psychological thing", quite sure. 🤦‍♂️

Rock Steady Edy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075808#Comment_122075808

Yes, same here.

magicbastarder

on the topic in the thread title, i once got back to the car in a car park and someone had parked beside me with easily less than a foot between the cars. i couldn't get in the driver's side; the funny thing was, there was someone in the passenger seat in the other car who resolutely stared away as i was pondering the situation and trying to get their attention. i ended up having to get in the passenger side and clamber over the handbrake, etc., which was not madly easy.

it was only as i was driving away i started to wonder how the driver in the other car had gotten out themselves.

Furze99

Clearly the real problem is that you should have reversed into your parking place on arrival. Then you would have had no difficulty at all seeing the other car and getting past it on exit.

I'm always amazed at ****** reversing out of parking bays and they haven't a fecking clue what's behind them.

magicbastarder

in shopping centres, it is often sensible to go nose in to a spot - because when you get back to the car with your shopping, it allows easy access to the boot, especially if your shopping is in a trolley.

AndrewJRenko

Reverse in, drive out.

8mv

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075607#Comment_122075607

Excellent advice from BobbyD here - I don't understand why so many people drive into a parking space and then reverse out. Much earier, and safer, to reverse in and drive out.

*Edit: I see Andrew and Furze agree.

GTTDI GOD

So many questions here, and I’m really hopeful this is a troll post. How did you pass a driving test with a lazy attitude towards observation like that? Did your driving instructor not tell you how important observation is?

All that aside, how would you even think, that if you hit a stationary car, that it’s their fault?

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122076506#Comment_122076506

And how would this help in this situation, the car would still be blocked im.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122077628#Comment_122077628

When you go to reverse in, you have a good view of what's happening around the parking space before you start reversing. When you drive out, you have a clear and direct view of what is in front of your car. It's much better for visibility. All advanced driver training covers 'reverse in, drive out'.

There are exceptions, for the awful slanted parking spaces, or for when you need full access to the boot. But in general, it's a far safer way of parking.

magicbastarder

As mentioned, for a supermarket car park where many people will be returning to their car with heavy shopping, possibly in a trolley. If you reverse in, you may be unable to load the boot without actually pulling your car out of the spot to gain access.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122077628#Comment_122077628

The issue wasn't that the car was blocked in. OP got the car out and drove away. He issue was that he reversed without first checking.

Reversing in makes that less likely that somebody doesn't check out of laziness.