Posted By Stephen
Dear All,

Have any of you any statistics or papers on the benefits of a reverse car parking policy at company premises?

Best regards,

Stephen

Posted By Chris Packham
Many chemical plants, oil refineries and oil terminals will insist on reverse parking for all vehicles on site.

The reason is that should there be an incident, then it is far quicker to evacuate vehicles if they have been reversed parked. Also there is far less of a probability of accidents than should everyone start to reverse out of parking spaces at the same time.

My experience is that on some sites you are also required to leave keys in the ignition and car unlocked. Obviously, this is only practicable when the site is "closed", i.e. not accessible to those who might wish to steal vehicles.

Chris

Posted By David Bannister
No hard evidence, other than common sense: when arriving for work there is little incentive to rush, so reversing onto the space may be achieved quite easily. At shift-end, the rush to get away will probably be much safer for pedestrians in the car park if drivers are not reversing.

However, if the parking areas are adjacent to open windows then the exhaust fumes result in complaints from anyone inside.

As for the supermarket run, my wife always searches for a "drive-in drive-out" space, nevermind the long treck back with an overloaded trolley with its own particular steering peculiarities in the pouring rain. Mostly the space behind is then occupied so that I have to struggle to fill the car boot from a trolley at the front of the car, or leave a long crease down the adjacent car - sorry, it wasn't me you must have done that somewhere else, isn't it terrible that someone could do that and not own up!

Conclusion: retire and use t'internet to shop.

Posted By Pete48
Stephen, have you tried ROSPA or other providers of defensive driving training. I well remember being taught to use reverse parking wherever possible. It is the safer option with less risk to you, the adjacent vehicles and any passing pedestrians. At least that was the teaching at that time.
Cannot remember the details but something like easier and quicker to get out of the parking space with less risk of collision in any circumstances including emergencies, the big movements are in the lower risk areas, backing into a defined space is better than reversing out into a less defined space etc etc.
All I can say it does work, especially with longer and larger vehicles, like 4x4, the Merc or the Jag when trying to fit into supermarket spaces.

Posted By Stephen
Dear All,

Thank you for your responses. I do confess to not really seeing a true reduction in overall risk. There may be lower driving risks, but the personnal injury risk can go up if you have to try and get stuff out of your boot when someone has parked so close you need a can opener or there are curbs to trip on etc. results in much twisting and lifting. Having said that when reversing out in a pubic car park this w/e one person thought it would be good to watch me start moving, then walk behind the car, thankfully I had spotted/anticipated what they were going to do.....Happy Days

Regards,

Stephen

Posted By Phil Grace
Stephen,
Guess you are aware of the "view" (don't think there are any stats to support it) that it is safer - from perspective of personal safety - to reverse in and drive out. Less faffing about etc.

Let me tell you a (personal) story:
Many years ago I went out between Christmas and New Year to visit a nearby town. I parked at the roadside, echelon style nose to kerb. I came back to the car after shopping to find lots of condensation. I ran engine, even had both front windows down with wife and I looking out sideways. As I slowly reversed out I felt a bump... I had knocked down an elderly man who was slowly (and I think it was very slowly) walking diagonally across the road. I was mortified....
Looking back there are many things I should have done:
- not moved until all windows were clear
- had wife get out of car and "back me out"
- parked rear to kerb

And there may be others. But I know which I think is the easiest - park rear first/inwards.
The only time I do not do so is when visiting supermarkets (as others have said) but it still makes me me uncomfortable, makes me recall my mistake.
PS Gentleman was OK

Posted By Mike
As well as the obvious large object or wall - reverse park sensors will detect pedestrians, kerbs, shrubs etc. I wouldn't be without mine now.

Posted By Ken Taylor
I wonder whether one is more likely to hit a pedestrian if reversing up to a footway - as there will probably be more of them there than in the carriageway.