Why Is Back In Parking Prohibited? Check Out The Reason

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 76 percent of drivers in the United States park nose-in. This group of people doesn’t observe safety precautions when parking their vehicles.

Now, what’s the preferred way to park a vehicle? The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) encourages drivers to park their vehicles forward-facing, in and out of the workplace for safety reasons.

Unfortunately, many back in parkers believe parking this way gives them more control over the vehicle’s front wheels. They also believe they can get a better angle or get too close to adjacent cars.

Unfortunately, back in parking is prohibited and there are reasons for that. So, if you’re fond of parking this way or contemplating parking your vehicle this way, this post is for you.

Let’s find the answer to this question right away.

Why is back in parking prohibited?

Back-in parking is prohibited because of the difficulty in identifying vehicle license plates. The prohibition is common in some states in the U.S. where drivers don’t use front license plates.

Therefore, the meter maid or parking enforcement officers need to view all of the license plates on all vehicles in a row. They only allow their cars to face the same way, with all license plates on the same side.

In addition, these license plates may be used to verify if a driver is entitled to a parking space. Thus, all vehicles are mandated to do front in parking.

Continue reading this article for more information on back in and other types of parking.

How To Do A Back In Parking

Back in parking is a new idea that is beginning to show up in more places. The general steps for back-in parking are similar to parallel parking:

Step 1: A traffic signal to show that you’re about to move.

Step 2: Drive past the parking lot.

Step 3: Pull your car to a complete stop.

Step 4: Reverse into the parking area at an angle of 45-degree.

Disadvantages And Advantages Of Back-In Parking

Back in parking has its advantages and disadvantages. So, even if you’re in a state where it’s not prohibited, you still need to have a look to know if it’s the right thing to do.

Advantages of back in packing:

Back-in-angle parking has a lot of advantages, which is why it’s becoming increasingly common. These benefits have proven to be safer in reducing collisions, particularly those involving exiting cars and bikers nearby.

Better view: Back in parking allows drivers to have a better idea of the traffic ahead. Especially when exiting a parking place and entering the travel lane,

Easier pull out: Back in parking removes the difficulties of backing into flowing traffic for drivers. In addition, drivers park in angled spaces which are a lot easier than a parallel area.

Easy trunk loading and unloading: Back in parking places the vehicle’s trunk or rear end on the sidewalk for more effortless loading and unloading.

Safe for children: Back in parking allows drivers and passengers, especially children, to enter and exit the car on the sidewalk. While on the sidewalks, the doors protect them from driving traffic.

Disadvantages of back-in parking:

Back-in-angle parking has several drawbacks. The following are critical disadvantages to consider:

Steep learning curve: The back in parking has a steep learning curve. This curve is similar to when roundabouts were first introduced.

The learning curve can be overcome with teaching and installation on a side street before trying out on the main road. In addition, drivers and meter maids can reduce confusion by making use of signposts.

Collisions: Some drivers don’t know when to stop when doing back-in parking. This poor stoppage may cause the vehicle to overrun the pavement or collide with landscaping or other facilities.

Congestion: Congestion may occur because of the initial halting and backing movement. This movement is similar to parallel parking.

Fatal crashes: Some drivers from the other traffic lane carelessly pull out across the road. This careless act may result in crashing into the parking stall nose-first.

10 Safety Tips To Consider When Using A Parking Lot

Parking lots are one of the most underrated potential hazards for both pedestrians and vehicles.

There are many methods to stay safe and avoid parking lot accidents and injuries. Here are some safety suggestions:

Make use of your side and rear mirrors, as well as your cameras:

Rear cameras could help avoid back-over accidents. In addition, the camera can help you to avoid hitting persons in the vehicle’s blind zone.

According to the research, cameras are more successful than parking sensors at assisting drivers in seeing and avoiding a child-size item parked behind the car.

Drivers should always use these security tools, such as reverse cameras and mirrors, to their advantage.

Drive slowly:

Take it easy while driving. Keep in mind that speeding through parking lots will likely result in an accident.

Cars reverse into and out of parking spaces. Some people load and unload vehicles in parking lots. Additionally, you may know about some blind spots in parking spaces.

Therefore, slowing down allows you to respond faster if something or someone obstructs you unexpectedly while driving.

Avoid distractions:

In 2017, distracted driving crashes killed 3,166 individuals. These crashes accounted for 9% of all fatal crashes in the United States. Traffic distractions include pressing a mobile phone, wearing headphones, eating, doing makeup.

Cell phones and text messaging are potentially harmful. These gadgets cause harm by diverting a driver’s attention away from the road for an extended period.

In parking lots, distracted driving is equally risky because you’re more likely to encounter distracted pedestrians.

Look for a parallel parking space:

Some parking lots are usually busy. To avoid busy parking lots, look for a parallel parking space.

Although reverse parallel parking is a typical driving school exam, you must drive safely in congested street conditions.

Select your parking space wisely:

Parking in well-lit places is preferable to parking between tall trucks, SUVs, or vans. It may be difficult to reverse out safely when you park in between these vehicles, and thieves may be lurking.

Keep your attention on your surroundings rather than just on finding a parking spot. In addition, keep an eye out for other automobiles and pedestrians.

Stay safe by using OnStar advisors:

You can phone OnStar agents if you’re concerned about your safety in an empty parking lot. An OnStar Advisor can stay on the phone with you until you’ve safely arrived at your vehicle.

OnStar Advisors are well-trained in the most recent emergency dispatch medical procedures. Therefore, they can tell you what to do or get you the needed aid if you have an emergency.

Use built-in emergency system on your smartphone:

Allow your phone to help you out in the case of emergencies. Every iPhone and Android device comes with a built-in emergency SOS system for quick access.

Knowing how to use the emergency functions on your phone could save your life. You can check the user manual to learn how to use the emergency feature.

You can also choose to share your location with a trusted friend or family member. You can turn on this sharing feature indefinitely. This feature will always enable someone to trace your movement if you don’t return home on time.

However, you can deactivate this feature at any time.

Find your keys ahead of time:

You must have been in this situation before. You get to your car, and your car keys are nowhere to be found. Keeping your keys in your hand before getting into your vehicle could save your life.

Many criminals seek distracted victims. Searching effortlessly through your handbag or briefcase for your keys could provide them with the opportunity they want.

If you have a manual car key, make sure it’s set to unlock the door when you go to your car. If your vehicle uses a remote, keep your finger near the keypad. This trick will help you open the door or start the alarm system if needed.

Smart parking is essential:

If there’s a possibility you’ll be able to park near the front entrance or elevators, take full advantage.

You should also keep track of where you parked. Look for any identifying labels or landmarks that can help you find your way back to your car. These markers will keep you from wandering around the parking lot.

Examine the surroundings:

As you approach your car, make a brief survey of the surrounding surroundings. Then, turn around and go back inside the building if anything appears wrong or seek assistance.

Few things to watch out for are:

Punctured tires:

Check for air leaks or slits in your tires if you have flat tires.

Surrounding cars:

Look at the vehicles that are nearest to you. Keep an eye out for anyone inside or around the car.

Beneath your car: Many robbers and kidnappers will lie behind your vehicle. They may be waiting to pounce as you unlock your door. Therefore, it’s best to take a quick look below your car from a safe distance.

Passenger seat: Check to see if somebody has broken into your car and hides in the passenger seat. Before getting inside the vehicle, check all windows and look for indicators that your staff has moved.

Conclusion

Back-in parking is prohibited because meter maids or traffic wardens find checking cars’ license plates difficult.

In some situations, back-in parking makes you appear suspicious. For example, cops may see you as a criminal who’s trying to escape a crime scene as fast as possible.

No matter the benefits of back-in parking, one thing is sure! Back in parking causes too many road accidents. Therefore, turning the car around to park forward is a natural approach to lessen the danger.