Reverse parking (as it is known in the UK) is one of a number of tasks than can be tested in a UK driving test.
I reverse park 99pct of the time. I think it's safer to be able to see where you are going when getting out of a space, so you can more easily see other cars, children etc.
I think it also makes more sense with the steering mechanics, and I find it easier than going in nose first.
> I've been told that in the army (UK) its illegal to park forwards. They had so many accidents that they banned it.
I've parked in numerous UK army bases over the years (as a civilian) and have never been aware of this. There might be something specific for soldiers whose specific trade is driving but not in general car parks. Some younger soldiers join up without a license and pass a normal civilian driving test as part of their career progression (taught by civilian driving instructors IIRC).
My first employer had this rule — reverse parking only. If you parked the wrong way then reception would send you back out.
Their argument for it was basically the same as the Army’s — with so many people working for them it became significant enough where it prevented a tangible number of people getting injured.
The other argument was that if you were getting attacked / mugged you could get away faster!
Backup cameras are increasingly the norm as older vehicles go out of service. But as someone who was exposed to a variety of different rental vehicles last week, it's increasingly hard to know what features a given vehicle has exactly, which are enabled, and how to use them.
It's hard when you get a loaner car from the dealer and that car doesn't lock when you walk away.
It's a habit you quickly forget. You're just walking away waiting for the beep. No beep, you have to press the fob.
I do also hate when dealers advertise the backup camera as a security feature. It's mandatory, you don't advertise seatbelts or airbags (unless there are 37 like in a modern Mercedes).
It totally makes sense with the steering mechanics (assuming you have a normal car that is steered using its front wheels) but if there is a low wall or bollards at the back of the parking space and you don't have sensors or cameras or whatever then you (or at least I) can't easily reverse-park and so entering the parking space involves changing direction about six times, and leaving it involves changing direction about three times.
If there's a narrow parking space with a narrow aisle in front of it then forward-parking is basically impossible so you have to reverse-park, so it's a skill worth having.
The first time I ever "forward" parked was after I passed my test. In fact, the examiner guided me into the space before telling me I'd passed! I wonder how many others in the UK go through the same experience.
I reverse park 99pct of the time. I think it's safer to be able to see where you are going when getting out of a space, so you can more easily see other cars, children etc.
I think it also makes more sense with the steering mechanics, and I find it easier than going in nose first.