Why do people back into car park spaces.

you can't be saying that these days...

I heard that on the AA traffic watch alright. 2 hour tailback wasn't it?

I presume you're referring to the row of shops opposite the Texaco station. Was it caused by two individuals reverse-parking, or by two individuals reverse-parking really badly? It's a simple manoeuvre that should take no more than a few seconds. I wouldn't dream of not reversing there. I've seen people struggling to drive nose-first into parking spaces there because they failed to swing out wide enough, didn't steer enough, and weren't fully au fait with where their bonnet ends. That's a thing I've noticed about people who drive into parking spaces - more often than not, they aren't entirely confident about the dimensions of their own vehicle.

You should see people trying to reverse out of parking spaces there, especially if there's an SUV or a van parked beside them and they can't see over it. Essentially blind-reversing onto a busy road, hoping that other motorists will help them. And because most of the residents there are cunts, help is usually in short supply.

If it's a straightforward, non-diagonal parking space, it is always safer and easier to reverse in than to reverse out. Anyone who thinks otherwise shouldn't be driving.

Is it harder than reversing out?

when backing into open space. the further i travel the less relevant any minor direction change will be.

when backing into a restricted space, up until the point where you're lined up, the further you travel the more relevant any minor direction change will be.

when reversing in you're getting closer and closer to the two restricting points (neighboring cars).

when reversing out the restrictions are reducing.

the gap stays the same size, the available angles change. when reversing out the available options (angles) increase. when reversing in the available options decrease.

This is especially annoying when there are so many free spaces available. I'd rather park at the back of a car park and walk a bit further than go through all that hassle just to be a bit closer to the entrance. I saw two drivers in Dunnes stores this morning taking ages reversing into spaces near the entrance. Not only were they holding up other cars, but they were also making it awkward for shoppers exiting with their trollies. Now it might have taken them just as long to get in driving front ways, but the point is, the opposite half of the car park was practically empty so the whole rigmarole could have been avoided if they just parked a bit further away.

Its as simple as a funnel.

The spout of a funnel remains the same size. The restriction increases in one direction. And reduces in another direction.

If I told you you were to be shot out of a cannon, through a giant funnel with electric walls, and that you must aim the cannon, but that you can choose the direction of the shot would you choose to be shot from (a) the wide open end and down the spout, or would you choose to be shot from (b) the spout and out the wide end.

I think that some people find reversing in to a space easier, while others find driving straight in the easier way. I find it easier to reverse into a space - and keep straight doing it. My partner is the opposite. Might explain why people are arguing as to what's easier.

But it all depends on the situation. If I'm in one of the bigger shopping centres, I'll drive straight in (easier to access the boot for the shopping), if I'm at my local (usually a single line) I'll reverse, as I've been caught one too many times by large vans on both sides (and other drivers around there rarely keep an eye out for those reversing).