New York, NY – Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have come home with a backup plan – for parking cars.
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And it looks like the military style of parking is catching on with civilians in the city.
“As one who backs in, I do notice the other cars that do so and I would say that about 20% of parkers back in,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA New York.
“The Army is on the right track teaching recruits to park that way. We instruct people to do the same.”
There is a simple reason why the Army trains soldiers to back their vehicles into a spot rather that pull into a parking space nose first.
It “allows us the ability to rapidly depart from a location if the need arises,” said Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hickman, who heads the Army Driver Standardization Office.
New Yorkers who served in Iraq said they can see the advantages of military-style parking in the city.
Traffic experts said it’s a much safer way to park.
“When you back out of a space, you’re essentially backing out blind, you’re relying on the traffic to wait for you,” said John Nawn, a traffic engineering consultant. “When you back into a parking space, it’s just you and empty space. You’re not judging against moving traffic.”
In Manhattan, backing in is standard operating procedure at most garages with valet parking.
In Queens, the city requires motorists to back into spaces on streets like 31st St. at Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria. Before these cars were parked parallel to the curb and they needed those spots. Now you can fit more cars on the block.
Robert Tang, 54, who also lives in Astoria, said waiting as motorists struggle to back into parking spots drives him mad.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “You’re causing traffic when you back in.”
It’s useful to know that what’s safe is senseless because some one with the patience of a toddler is inconvenienced. Not to mention that traffic laws require you to wait.
There is always one bird brain complaining about anything that might make life just a bit easier for all New Yorkers.
Enough with the bird brains and let them open up their own blog.
Robert Tang, 54, is not thinking because both ways cause the same exact traffic, at reciprocal times, but the military way allows for a quick exit.
I’ve been backing in my driveway for many many years because one in usually in a greater hurry to leave than arrive and it’s safer. I didn’t need to serve in thr millitary to realize that.
when you back in to a driveway you dont go out of the car to check if there might be a child what you dont see ,but before entering your car to back out you give a check on the sides ,
What is so new about this practice? I’ve seen New Yorkers back up a block or more to get to a parking spot. In addition, New Yorkers will double park, and triple park. It is no fun driving in NYC, especially Brooklyn.