El Paso Drivers: Is Backing In Safer For Parking Lots?

Wherever you park, (unless it's parallel parking), you pretty much always have a choice: pull into the space headfirst or back into it. In El Paso, that choice matters.

El Paso parking spots make drivers weird. Peeps drive aimlessly around and around to find the closest spot. Whether it's way hot, bitter cold, super windy or raining; you're still going to have to walk in it. Seriously, take what you see on the first pass and get on with your day.

I've seen cars circling like sharks, (actually stalking people), trying to find that "sweet" spot. I get it, closer is better but searching all over, (while burning about $15 worth of gas at todays prices), is too much.

Especially when you ultimately wind up with a space that's only 2 or 3 spaces closer than the one you could have had half an hour ago.

Parking Headfirst Vs. Backing In

I've just about always backed into spaces. My grandfather taught me, (before I was even supposed to be driving), that you can see a lot better when you pull out. Now, (certain friends and family members - you know who you are), I have experts on my side.

Back in, not out. Where legal and where parking spaces are not angled, fleet safety experts agree it is safest to back into or pull through a parking space so your vehicle is facing out when it’s time to exit. - trafficsafety.org

Whys Is Backing In Extra Important In El Paso?

Because of the other drivers. I don't mean the ones from Juarez and New Mexico; everybody, (in a parking lot), somehow forgets basic safety/courtesy steps.

I swear, we're the worst. People don't pay attention to those backing out because they're hell bent on getting that front row spot or stalking someone they think is leaving. PS: Stalking is rude. Do it to me and I'll sit there until you leave just so I can give the spot to the next guy.

Why Is Backing In Better?

If you are backing out your vision is limited and you won't see the person that didn't see you and, boom - fender bender. Not paying attention to people backing out is common in all parking lots.,

When Backing Into Parking Spaces Is Extra Good

Concerts, sporting events, ... anywhere a lot of people are all trying to leave at the same time. You can't really see if someone is giving you a break and they may not know you're looking for one.

If you pull forward, you:

Have a much wider field of view.
You can tell when you have enough of a gap to start pulling out.
Other drivers can see that you can see them so they're less likely to do the "El Paso Let Me Hurry And Block This Guy To Save Myself 10 Seconds Shuffle".

People Have To Wait While You Back In

This is the dumbest "anti-backing in" argument of them all. They're not waiting 1 second longer than they would if you were backing out. Assuming they're the type nice enough to let you back out to begin with.

If they're not, then they're just aggravated that you messed up their shot at messing you up.