I worked at a job site prone to flooding so it was mandated to speed evacuations. I liked it and kept the habit.

Then some misogynist asshat told me it’s a masculine thing to do and I should be careful to come across more ladylike. So added on a layer of spite and anti-bigot defenses to why I keep doing it.

I worked for a company that provided a car (incidentally a ‘benefit’ I will refuse in any future scenario).

They explicitly told us we had to back in to our parking spots whenever possible. They implied that some data they had showed it reduced accidents.

Not only makes it easier to leave when you need to, as you can see everything that you might hit or might hit you.

But going backwards means you can more easily line up in the space as you have more control over your angle.

Like parallel parking is essier when reversing as you dont need to correct once in the space. Just 45 degree to the kerb and straighten up and you are in. Going forward parallel parking takes loads of correction or needs a really big gap to fit in to.

There’s a reason a number of large companies that self-insure mandate backing in for all their vehicles (Schlumberger, Cargill); it’s demonstrably safer practice that results in less accidents when leaving the parking space. You can see everything when you back in that was there when you pulled up, and when you pull out, you’re right up front looking forward into the lane as you pull out. You quickly learn how to back in, even without a backup camera, if you learn how to use your mirrors.

It is by far the statistically less accident prone method.

Is backing into parking spots not the norm in the US? Here in Germany we back into parking spots most of the time, mostly because the spots are too narrow or short to enter forward. We also learn this in driving school and it’s pretty much an essential skill that’s expected from drivers in Germany.

As everyone else has said, mostly convenience. Easier parking, quicker leaving, generally safer. If I’m early to work I’ll “drive-through” an empty spot to park with the nose outwards. The rearview mirrors make it very easy to keep track of where your car is going.

Occasionally I’ve also managed to do some stupidly tight parking jobs where I literally had to climb out of the trunk :)

You can fit in more easily. Having the steering axle in the back relative to the direction of movement allows you to drive tighter curves (like a forklift).

My mom does this every time she parks, even in our driveway. She’s always said it’s so if her car stalls, it’s easier to get it jumped or towed out of the spot.

Because I drive a truck so backing in and pulling out is just easier

Much easier to pull out after, and I can leave quicker despite taking slightly longer to pull in.

I back into my driveway. Way I see it, I either back in or back out. So what’s the difference

It takes advantage of right-of-way to avoid collision while backing.

I’m following you. When you decide to back in to your parking space, you have the right-of-way over the lane until you have completely left it. I have to yield to you, even if you come to a complete stop in the lane of traffic. While your vision and attention is compromised due to backing, I am responsible for avoiding you.

When you are attempting to back out of the parking spot and into my lane, you do not have right-of-way until you are fully established in the lane. Despite your vision and attention being compromised due to backing, you are also responsible for avoiding me. I don’t have to yield to you until you are completely within the lane.

My backup camera has little lines that show where I am backing up and change as I turn. So that combined with the 360 camera I will know exactly how I will fit in a parking spot. Also makes getting out faster since im usually an early bird to places.

I’m going to guess that I’m in the minority here and say that I daily a long bed Ford F-250. It’s big, it’s long, and it’s just generally unwieldy. Yes there are benefits to backing into a parking spot like better visibility and blah blah blah but for me it’s actually more about just being able to get in and out of the parking spot. Especially in narrow parking lot aisles. Backing into a spot takes less room, because, idk, geometry. Similar to why a forklift steers with its rear wheels and that makes it more maneuverable (albeit less stable).

Though there is also the benefit of the tailgate and bed of the vehicle being less accessible and therefore less likely for someone to just walk off with something, if there’s anything back there. My mom had the tailgate stolen off her Toyota once back in the 90s. I assume she pulled forward into the parking spot.

When parking i can get a good view of the immediate area, it’s easy to spot pedestrians and oncoming cars. Pulling out is easy. If I have to back out I don’t have such a good view. Yeah I get a look as I approach my car but by the time I sit down, click my seat belt, start the car, someone i didn’t see could be coming along.