Everything's right with this picture.
It's just that you don't see such disciplined parking in very many places.
This happens to be the parking lot out in front of the Hugo Boss head office in Downsview. Maybe the fact that it's a German company means they are more disciplined than most? Even if head man Les Minion is of Irish descent?
The other place you see parking like this - or at least used to; I haven't been out there for a while - is General Motors of Canada's head office in Oshawa. I was told once that this was because all GM employees had been through John Powell's Advanced Driver Training program (GM was his main corporate sponsor back in the day) and this was a technique he emphasized, as do most advanced driving trainers.
As I noted in my Pet Peeves column a couple of weeks ago (visit: www.wheels.ca/Specials/article/716100 ), backing in to your parking space is the best way to do it, because you can see as you drive by that there's nothing in the spot that can cause you trouble, and obviously, pulling out again means you're not backing into traffic which you cannot properly see.
I got some flak on this one. One reader said that on his residential street (ironically, about a block from where I grew up) it is almost impossible to back into his driveway because other traffic is too impatient. When he passes the entrance to his driveway other cars are on his butt immediately. Despite having his turn signal or four-ways on, he has been honked at, sworn at, even had cars drive up on the sidewalk to get around him.
Geez; how that neighbourhood must have deteriorated! The first person I ever knew who backed into his driveway was Big Jimmy's Dad (I was Little Jimmy on our block). I must admit I thought it was odd then - Mr. Bakes, in memoriam, I honour your foresight.
Brad Diamond, producer/host of our TSN's Motoring 2009 show, pulls in frontwards because he usually has to unload a bunch of TV gear - cameras, tripods, and the like - and if the back of the truck is up against a wall or a fence, it makes it awkward to unload.
OK, there can be exceptions to the rule. But when not unloading? Brad, you really ought to back in.
And so should you all.
I also notice the lack of colour in the cars. Except for the one blue one, the rest are shades between black and white. Another German thing?
As for the real subject of the blog, before I had my Dakota, I never noticed how much easier it is to maneuver in reverse.
Having said that, in a lot of the more popular malls (i.e. Square One Mississauga), it's the same problems your reader mentioned. Like that Seinfeld episode, signal or no, if you drive past a spot to try and back in, someone else will take it. Sometimes I'll just look for a "drive-through" spot further away from the door. The walk is good for me, anyway.
Posted by: Brian | July 20, 2009 at 09:36 AM
Did anyone also happen to notice that they are ALL some shade of grey! Is this also a corporate requirement?
Posted by: Rob | July 20, 2009 at 02:39 PM
About 18 years ago I was backing out of my driveway in my then one year old Dodge van. I looked to ensure the road was clear as I live one house in from the corner and then I started to slowly back out onto our usually quiet residential street checking the mirrors as I proceeded. When I was about 3/4 of the way out a lady came flying around the corner at break neck speed and slammed into my rear bumper. Fortunately my van has a solid steel bumper and only suffered a slight buckle that is barely visible. The lady's car also only suffered minor damage. We both concluded that we were equally responsible for the minor accident and parted ways with no further interaction.
Since that day I always back into my driveway so as to be able to drive out forward.
Posted by: R. de Zoete | July 21, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Another observation. Don't see any domestic manufactured vehicles either......
Posted by: Sean Nakoneczny | July 22, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Backing in is the only way to go
Posted by: Symon | July 23, 2009 at 06:01 AM
Hi Brian:
Yes, a drive-through (or pull-through) spot is always the best option if it is available.
But I don't understand why everyone else seems to have trouble fighting off contenders for parking spaces. I never do. You don't suppose it's because I'm usually driving someone else's car?
Kidding...
You just have to be a bit assertive yourself.
Posted by: Jim | July 24, 2009 at 01:26 AM
Quit telling me how to drive. It gets quiet tiresome.
Posted by: dean b | July 29, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Censorship FTW
Posted by: dean b | July 29, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Obviously Jim never does the grocery shopping.
If you back into a parking spot to do your grocery shopping you'll have to leave your shopping cart unattended as you load up your trunk. Hopefully that cart doesn't roll away and cause any damage.
Posted by: Alan | July 30, 2009 at 01:08 AM
Hey Dean:
Just trying to give some friendly (not to mention free) advice based on the opinions of the top driving instructors in the world.
If it gets 'quiet' tiresome, there are other blogs...
Cheers,
Jim Kenzie
Posted by: Jim Kenzie | July 31, 2009 at 11:30 PM
Excuse me???
Jim Kenzie
Posted by: Jim Kenzie | July 31, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Hi Alan:
Jim shops all the time!
Your cart could just as easily roll away if you drive in forward. It depends on the slope of the parking lot.
And you're likely to do a lot more damage with your car backing out than with a shopping cart backing out!
Jim Kenzie
Posted by: Jim Kenzie | July 31, 2009 at 11:34 PM