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Backing In
Looks like a pretty good neighborhood. Parked side-by-side we have an M3 and an M5. Too bad there are no car washes in the area. This car happens to be your host Brad diamond's hotrod de jour and for the first time in his life; he's backed into his parking spot. I'm always whining to him about this.
Now why is this important? It's pretty simple. As you drive along and you see a parking spot, you can see by looking into it that there is nothing in it, no shopping cart lying aroundÔø‡etc. You back into your spot nice and safe and when you get back to your car, you are already facing the flow of traffic. You don't want to be backing into traffic because you can't see very well, right? In particular with modern cars with high backs and the forest of headrests they have to have. So if you're facing traffic you can pull out safely. If you go to any General Motors facility you will see most of the cars are backed into their spots. Why? Because a good old friend of mine, John Powell has trained them all to do that. In fact, most advanced driver training programs will teach you to back into your spot; it's the safest way to do it. I have heard that in Quebec it's illegal to back into your spot and that's because they don't have front license plates and it makes it more difficult for the police to identify your car incase they have to arrest you for something. Well, I've never gotten any confirmation that that's true and I really hope it isn't because since when would the administration conveniences of a police officer take precedence over traffic safety? Actually the safest way to park in a big parking lot where they have rows and rows of parking is to drive through two spots and park on the other side already facing traffic. If there is a curb like the one Brad is parked at you don't have a choice, back into your parking spot.
I have to admit, there is one drawback to this approach. You pull forward, getting ready to back up and some big hairy guy in an SUV jumps in there and steels your spot. Of course you have to get out of your car and you have to start arguing with the guy, next thing you know you're fighting with the guy, next thing you know he's punching your lights out. Jees you know: maybe backing into your spot isn't such a good idea. No I'm kidding! Back into your spot, it's the safest way to do it. It's not a cure for the common cold, it's not the biggest traffic safety problem we face, but it's one of those little details that separate you, the good driver from those ugly masses out there.
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