Do You Back Into a Parking Spot or Back Out?

Drivers are increasingly split between pulling into a space and backing in. AAA updated its curriculum around 2020 to promote backing into parking spots, a change William Van Tassel said is, “it’s a good idea from a safety perspective.” Explanations range from safety to convenience.

A 2020 study in Transportation Research found the pull-in, back-out maneuver carried a higher crash risk, and AAA noted that pedestrians are likelier in travel lanes than in parking spaces. Others cite security: a Texas company teaching what it calls “tactical parking” asks drivers, “What if I was being chased?” Many drivers simply say it makes it easier to leave—“It’s easier to get in and go,” said Mirna Martinez, and Antonio Mateo said, “I get out quickly.” Not everyone agrees.

Matthew Dicks tried backing in and concluded it is harder and can cause congestion; he urges fellow drivers, “Stop backing into parking spots.

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