Rant: Why do so many locals insist on backing into parking spots?

[ArcticDiver]

Just gotta join the pile on; especially since no ref is going to throw a flag

Backing in makes a safer drive. Little danger of hitting traffic backing into a parking place; unlike backing into traffic.

You live in one of the most congested but laid back places I've ever been. You might remember your State Motto: Hang Loose Follow it, you'll feel better:cool2:

 

[D_B]

To people that have trouble parking (most people I've seen do, they have no clue as to how wide/long their vehicle is or where the wheels are tracking)
backing in is going to take almost as long as forwards, and may even get the vehicle centered in the spot enough that I don't have to climb in through the window to get in my truck

 

[justleesa]

Ok folks, the "be happy you are in Hawaii" bit doesn't cut it.

If you lived in Hawaii you would see that you still have things to do, jobs to get to and appointments to keep. People being inconsiderate in the parking lot i.e. blocking an isle for 10 minutes or more, waiting while someone loads their car, just so they have only 10 steps to the door instead of 20 or blocking a one way street so they can talk story it's just not right.

 

[Lopaka]

Funny, I posted this hoping someone that lives here would have the answer, and I get a bunch of lectures from mainlanders.

Thanks Lisa, seems people do not know the difference between vacation and living/working in a place.

Ok folks, the "be happy you are in Hawaii" bit doesn't cut it.

If you lived in Hawaii you would see that you still have things to do, jobs to get to and appointments to keep. People being inconsiderate in the parking lot i.e. blocking an isle for 10 minutes or more, waiting while someone loads their car, just so they have only 10 steps to the door instead of 20 or blocking a one way street so they can talk story it's just not right.

 

[Geoff_H]

What is up with this? I am constantly being blocked in a parking lot aisle with some fool trying to back into a spot, back and forth, back and forth...............As if traffic was not congested enough, they cause more of it just parking!

Mate... you have issues... lighten up!

Backing in is safer anyway.

 

[Lopaka]

Safer for who/what? I have watched imbeciles back right into other people's cars!

Personally, I suspect it is some sort of local "I'm cool" stunt. Thanks for playing though, you don't live here either.

Mate... you have issues... lighten up!

Backing in is safer anyway.

 

[Splitlip]

How many tags or plates are required in HI? Some people in states with one plate or tag on their cars back in to avoid their plates being run. Actually in some places backing into a space is against the law for that reason.

 

[Geoff_H]

Safer for who/what? I have watched imbeciles back right into other people's cars!

Safer than reversing out into traffic you can't see. That is so obvious I can't believe I have to explain it.

Personally, I suspect it is some sort of local "I'm cool" stunt. Thanks for playing though, you don't live here either.

Didn't take you long to start on that again did it? I guess cars and traffic are different where you live right? Reverse parking, traffic jams and automobiles are different in Lopaka-land to the rest of Planet Earth.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Not even sure I want to take a stab at this Lopaka, but here goes:

1. Easier to get out of the parking spot afterwards.
2. Easier to put items in trunk (from storefront sidewalk or walkway, if one exists).
3. With pickup truck, see 1 & 2 above.

Those are the "reasonable" reasons I'd guess.

Now to your question regarding why "locals" do it... tread very lightly on that one. I've watched "FOB" (fresh off the boat) tourists and recent mainland transplants exhibiting the same poor driving behavior (i.e., blocking lanes while waiting for parking spots to open, etc...). I've also seen that type of driving behavior all over the mainland. The reason that you see "locals" driving that way is, surprise, most local drivers ARE locals (by definition ).

Driving in Hawaii is a mixed bag for sure. In Hawaii you will see some of the most courteous drivers, who will essentially stop traffic to let you pull out, and at the same time see some of the very worst drivers (umm, the same ones stopping in heavy traffic so someone can pull out ). I learned to drive here in little Hilo (not quite so little anymore), but have also lived on the mainland for my undergrad and graduate years of college and have driven in rush hour conditions in major cities such as Los Angeles, Manhattan, San Francisco, Lima Peru (truely frightening!!), and points in between "both foreign and domestic" as an adult, so I have a large sample of "data points" for comparative driver skill and courtesy.

Hawaii ranks at the top of my unscientific list for driver courtesy, and not quite at the bottom for driver skill. I thought Manhattan drivers were probably the most skilled (and despite popular belief not overly rude ), and LA drivers generally quite skilled but almost the least courteous.

Anyway, I understand your frustration Lopaka, but it could be worse.... you could trying to commute in Lima Peru (worst & most dangerous drivers, who have transformed the use of a car horn into a noisy art form as they run red lights, turn without signaling, etc.)

Safe Driving (errr, I mean safe Diving)!

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I'm of the opinion that Splitlip is at least significantly right. I think if the State of Hawaii were to require communication between the auto insurance companies, safety inspection stations, drivers license and motor vehicle registration computers, Hawaii would have between 30 and 50 percent less vehicles on the road. No drivers license, expired registration, expired safety, no insurance; I believe nearly 50% of the vehicles on our roads have at least one of those violations.