Few things annoy me more than drivers who simply cannot reverse park smoothly yet insist on doing so. They seem oblivious to the challenges they cause other drivers, let alone the accidents that would occur if other drivers weren’t trying to guess and navigate around them.
As a forward parker myself, I must admit, though there are a few – and that is very few – drivers who have mastered the art of reverse parking. One, I admit, I have not personally mastered. However, I acknowledge that it is not my skill set and refrain from reverse parking.
‘They just have to be patient, ‘I’m in front, they can back off, ‘They shouldn’t be so close behind me. These are all common expressions made by wannabe reverse drivers. So for those who insist on reverse parking because they believe it is easier to spend 10 minutes and endless attempts to park the car to drive straight out of the car park when ready, let me put you in the position of the car behind you.
As you are driving through the car park of the nearest shopping centre, looking for a free parking space and diligently navigating the cramped roadways, the car in front of you suddenly stops with no warning.
You brake instantly, watching the five cars behind you brake in surprise. Phew, no one got hit. You check your closeness to the car in front, and the distance is good. Then, the car in front put their reverse lights on!
The car starts moving backwards. They have plenty of room but seem to think you are too close. So you attempt to give them more space, but there are five cars behind you.
The car in the park beside the car behind you edges forward. They want out! Time seems to stand still while everyone tries to choose their next move. Meanwhile, the wannabe reverse parker in the car at the front is getting impatient with their third and prolonged attempt to complete the Manoeuvre.
Eventually, everyone is lined up as they should be and rewarded with watching the driver in front make endless attempts to get into the car park. Signalling for you and the other drivers to back up more because it is obviously your fault that they are incompetent.
As you recommence your attempt to find a car park, you discover ample car park spaces just ahead, and some are even a drive-through, so you are facing out as if you did reverse park.
I am sure you all have many ‘wannabe reverse parker’ stories of your own. Unfortunately, it is illegal to eliminate this species (I checked), so I can only reassure you that you are not alone in your frustration and encourage you to be patient.
Otherwise, if you can’t reverse park smoothly and responsibly – don’t reverse park… ever!