Would You Hold up Traffic to Reverse Parallel Park

azero on 30/10/2023 - 09:54
Last edited 31/10/2023 - 13:31

My kid's primary school has parallel parking along a relatively busy road without marked bays. Speed limit is 40 permanent.

There are ~2000 students at school and it is always a mad rush in the morning.

80% of the time when I try to reverse park, I would either hold up a very long queue of traffic or the person behind me would just move up like an idiot and prevent me from reversing.

This morning, I put the indicator on stopped ready to reverse and the car behind just kept going. I honked and reversed aggressively to force it to move out of the way.

So that got me into thinking if it's bad to reverse park when there's a big queue behind you or else if it is fine since that's how you are supposed to park.

The other option is to drive another 100m up the road past the school gate and park in a quieter area - which I have started doing since I don't want to start my day with a rage.

So what would you do hold up the traffic or park somewhere else ?

EDIT — thanks for all who voted commented, I actually do slow right down and indicate approaching the spot still rarely makes a difference. But have made the decision to either go head first if there is a long enough spot or else just walk the extra 100m which I did this morning.

Poll Options

  • 70
    No I won't it is rude
  • 601
    I don't care, others have to wait for me to park
Automotive

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 30/10/2023 - 09:59
    +126

    recent article for you op

    I'm my opinion if you are good at parallel reverse parking then go for it. If you take forever and have no idea what you are doing then find somewhere else to park.

    • El cheepo on 30/10/2023 - 14:52
      +35

      Exactly. Its only a nuisance if someone takes multiple shots at it.

      But in saying that… 100m for peace of mind and ease? Why bother trying if you get road rage. Get your kid to walk the 100mtrs and keep your blood pressure lower.

    • SlickMick on 31/10/2023 - 09:07
      +5

      I park a block away from work every day to avoid the competition in the company car park. Who needs that kind of daily stress before my first coffee.

      • placard on 31/10/2023 - 11:11
        +8

        Exactly and you get more steps/exercise, so healthier. People are always obsessed about parking as close as possible, which makes us even more sedentry.

        In addition, parking further away from the mad crowds means your car will be lower risk of dents and scrapes from other people who don't know how to parallel park.

    • Kranbone on 31/10/2023 - 20:36
      +1

      I agree with you.

      If you can park quick with no inconvenience to others I have no problem. But if you're bad at parking and will cause a large build up of traffic, better to keep going.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 01/11/2023 - 14:21
      +3

      Great article. For Qld I like the emphasis on the aggressive honking idiot-type fine:

      Unsafe reversing can result in a $61 fine. fair enough

      "Drivers must not unreasonably obstruct other drivers. This means drivers parking cannot block more of the road than is necessary for their parking manoeuvre, and nearby drivers must leave sufficient space for the driver to park. Creating an unreasonable obstruction can result in a $154 fine."

    • johnno07 on 02/11/2023 - 13:35
      +1

      This is the answer. You are entitled to reverse parallel park - but only if you're not sh*t at it.

  • jv on 30/10/2023 - 10:01
    +7

    I honked and reversed aggressively to force it to move out of the way.

    Sounds like you have road rage…

    Perhaps you should see someone about it.

    • Chandler on 30/10/2023 - 11:48
      +11

      What do you think OP is doing?

  • Euphemistic on 30/10/2023 - 10:02
    +8

    I make a decision about a reverse park based on my safety. If there’s fast moving heavy traffic I’ll probably park further way and walk. If it’s not, I’ll reverse park. Helps to be half decent at it.

    Avoiding school drop off/pickup times is high priority. I suspect it’s a high school at 2000 kids. Make the lazy sods walk a bit. There’s no need to drop off a high schooler at the door. “BuT ThEY’Ll bE lATe” is no excuse, organise yourself better and get there earlier.

    Need another poll option or three.

    • azero on 30/10/2023 - 10:14
      +1

      sorry no it is a primary. Lot of people just stopping in the middle of the road (slow traffic) and let the kids get out, park on the nature strip, driving on the foot path, even I have made several complaints. Finally someone woke up and got the council and a few highway patrol cars to come in the morning and fined a whole bunch of people.

      • Euphemistic on 30/10/2023 - 10:19
        +10

        Wow. Massive school!

        It’s still possible to drop your kids a short walk away, or park and walk with them if you can plan properly.

        It’s not the reverse parker that is the problem it’s all the crazies that are 2min late and decide that parking anywhere is acceptable.

        I’ve seen a woman waiting for a year 5/6 girl parked in the middle of the road for at least 5minutes (I had enough time to park, walk to the gate and back with child). She was completely blocking cars from moving through in a fairly narrow street. I had a hi-vis shirt on so made a show of taking a photo of her car and for some reason she got all upset. She couldn’t see that what she was doing was plain stupid and selfish.

        I avoid school zones as much as possible.

        • azero on 30/10/2023 - 10:48

          yeah it is a nightmare, the only thing that keeps me here is the stupidly high house prices in the nicer areas ha ha

        • kiitos on 31/10/2023 - 08:53

          Nice move with the hi viz and photo.

  • Bignudge on 30/10/2023 - 10:03
    +13

    If you can do it in one go, go for it! But if you have to attempt it 4-5 times with pedestrians having to verbally tell you which way to turn the wheel then probably not.

    • jv on 30/10/2023 - 11:54
      +5

      If you can do it in one go, go for it!

      and if you can't, then you shouldn't be driving…

      • Peanut money on 31/10/2023 - 15:06
        +2

        Roads would be empty if that was the case

        • jv on 31/10/2023 - 15:07
          +4

          All the better…

  • bobbified on 30/10/2023 - 10:07
    +4

    I don't care, others have to wait for me to park

    I DO care, but I'll still reverse into the spot. I usually indicate and slow right down and then when the car behind me has pretty much come to a stop, I pull forward at an angle quickly - only as far as I need) and start reversing. The car behind usually doesn't usually move once they've stopped

  • localhost on 30/10/2023 - 10:13
    -5

    Look, school time is 9am-3pm. If you think you can't do parking for that time - then move somewhere else.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2023 - 10:15
    +5

    This is why I walk the kids to school because frayed parental driver nerves during school drop-off/pick-up are unlike any other.

  • Godric on 30/10/2023 - 10:23
    +1

    Aslong as road rules are being abided by : )

  • Caped Baldy on 30/10/2023 - 11:00
    +4

    Can the kids get the bus or PT?

    Alternatively, drop them off further away.

    • jv on 30/10/2023 - 11:56
      -1

      Can the kids get the bus or PT?

      No

      • smartazz104 on 31/10/2023 - 11:36

        That's shame, let the parking battles continue forever.

        • RADICALIST on 31/10/2023 - 12:03
          +1

          School parking battle royale

  • dione on 30/10/2023 - 11:05
    +1

    For busy road like school pick up, try to not parallel park if you can?
    Just dash in head first.
    If you see the line in airport departure, you know that no one doing parallel parking there.

    • Presence on 30/10/2023 - 12:23
      +5

      Lanes in airports are way wider and the driver isn't supposed to leave the vehicle. Not comparable to a school.

    • Goose93 on 31/10/2023 - 09:23
      +1

      As the other user responded, they’re also not marked bays designed to be unattended. You pull in and drive as far forward as you can.

      However, it is still reasonable to reverse parallel park in some circumstances.
      When it was overly busy and there were only narrow gaps between others, my only option was to reverse parallel otherwise my ass would have stuck out and blocked he road for much longer than my reverse parallel park did.

  • lordra on 30/10/2023 - 11:10
    +6

    Indicate, slow down and stop. I force the behind car to wake up, stop and notice what my intentions are. Then I wave, move forward, and start reversing. If they have brains, they won't move forward. If they do, then IMO (this is not the law), I feel I have the right of way to park the dam car.

    As road users, sharing a common road, everyone needs to be courteous to everyone.

  • Some Human on 30/10/2023 - 11:32
    +2

    Back in the day, I had to ride my pushbike 8km to get to school. Have the kids tried that?

    • azero on 30/10/2023 - 11:52
      +1

      nah mate, for a grade 1 girl when the other idiots park all over the place on nature strips, foot paths etc… it is not even safe for adults

      • jjjaar on 31/10/2023 - 23:19
        +1

        Reminds me of this

      • jv on 30/10/2023 - 11:57
        +2

        on 1 foot.

        Your parents must have been rich…

        • Daabido on 30/10/2023 - 15:37
          +1

          Luxury.

      • bobbified on 30/10/2023 - 12:27
        +1

        I had to walk 20 miles to school uphill both ways on 1 foot.

        umm. that would not be called "walking". That would be called "hopping"!

      • Muzeeb on 30/10/2023 - 12:43
        +1

        Next you'll be saying how rich you were because you wore shoes.

        • smartazz104 on 31/10/2023 - 11:37
          +1

          Wear? That was our lunch and dinner.

      • singlemalt72 on 30/10/2023 - 13:22

        I prefer the Four Yorkshiremen

  • MITM on 30/10/2023 - 11:50
    +2

    I was taught the drivers behind you should have woken up earlier if they want to be in front of you. Ignore them. If it's a dual lane and it's a school zone, obviously use the right lane to avoid those parallel parking/dropping off. If it's a single lane, then they'd have to wait for the parkers or find another route.

    • jv on 30/10/2023 - 12:00

      I was taught the drivers behind you should have woken up earlier if they want to be in front of you.

      I was taught that they should have purchased a faster car.

  • tsunamisurfer on 30/10/2023 - 12:58
    +5

    I am a 90% of the time reverse parker.

    The only time I don't reverse park is when it is extremely busy and poses a danger in terms of visibility Or when there is sufficient space like 2 parallel spots adjacent to each other available.

    I fully accept that I will have to wait for others when others do it and assume the same for them.

    • Muzeeb on 30/10/2023 - 13:08
      +1

      If I have to stop for someone reverse parking and they nail it I feel all nice and fuzzy inside. I also give them a thumbs up on the way past if they turned their head and didn't cheat using the guides on their reverse camera.

  • apple2016 on 30/10/2023 - 13:05

    school has parallel parking

    its designed for reverse parking. smaller cars could drive straight in but not sedans etc.

  • silverhawks on 30/10/2023 - 13:10

    maybe you turned your indicator on too late, so the person behind you didn't have time to stop. then your rage comes from the fact you think everyone is against you from reverse parking. i have reverse so many times and never have the problem of people honking me. another reason is maybe you take too long to reverse park, hence people are starting to get annoyed. if thats the reason, i would recommend you practice reverse park in a quite place and improve your parking skills.

    • singlemalt72 on 30/10/2023 - 13:25
      +4

      A good method is to stop just in line with the space (or a little short), indicate, and then roll forward slowly, if the person behind moves up on you tap your brakes a few times to flash your brake lights, often people are not considering what it is you are doing and are mindlessly closing the gap.

      • EarlyBird22 on 01/11/2023 - 11:29
        +1

        start to drive slightly into the park and turn back out, makes it more obvious

  • outlander on 30/10/2023 - 13:27
    +4

    It's polls like this that remind me just on how much a different wavelength I operate. For me it would be option C

    I would avoid it as it reduces system efficiency and raises the risk of accidents. Instead I would park a few streets away and just walk the 5 minutes. Unless I needed to be close for some reason, like picking up something bulky, in which case the slight disruption would be justified.

    • kururii on 02/11/2023 - 09:59
      +1

      That's a lot of words for

      No I won't it is rude

    • hayne on 02/11/2023 - 16:25
      +1

      So you would rather walk further than parallel park? Is that because you're not good at parallel parking or because you feel it inconveniences others? If you're decent at parallel parking, it shouldn't cause much more than marginal disruption.

      There's a reason why they teach you how to parallel park when you learn to drive, and why you have to demonstrate the ability to do so to pass your test. It's an accepted part of driving.

      • outlander on 02/11/2023 - 19:11

        It's just math. If it takes me 30 seconds to parallel park, and there's 10 cars behind me, that's 10x 30 second spent waiting. Each car has to break, and then accelerate again, which expends fuel.

        Knowing how to do something is intelligence.
        Knowing when to do that thing is wisdom

        And I just don't think it's wise to have 500 people all trying to park right outside the school exit at precisely 3.30 when there's space for maybe 30 cars.

  • Dollar General on 30/10/2023 - 13:33
    +14

    At 40km/h kids should be able to jump out the car

    • localhost on 30/10/2023 - 13:57
      +9

      With Batman costume - up to 60km/h :)

    • superuser on 02/11/2023 - 11:12

      I've done this, not end well.

  • payless69 on 30/10/2023 - 17:14
    -2

    exit car in middle of road
    take out phone
    download autopark app
    hit the right button

  • Ghost47 on 30/10/2023 - 18:02

    If it's for school drop off how long do you end up being parked for? If people are being aggressive (profanity) you might as well just park further away and walk them to the gate?

  • ssfps on 31/10/2023 - 03:21
    -2

    Reverse parking when there is a lot of traffic and free regular bays nearby is inconsiderate. Why hold up a road full of people if there is little reason to?

    • happyhammer on 01/11/2023 - 11:05

      Very surprised this was negged

      • ssfps on 01/11/2023 - 14:50
        -1

        Yep, I don't get it. Do they think it's actually considerate behavior, or are they reading into my comment that I hate everyone who reverse parks? (I reverse park when necessary, or little traffic would be blocked.)

        • happyhammer on 01/11/2023 - 19:22

          I thought the poll results would be the opposite too, so what do I know!

  • mrhanky71 on 31/10/2023 - 08:02
    +1

    well if you reverse in, you exit faster. So it cancels each other out.

    • YellowDieselGolf on 31/10/2023 - 19:36
      +1

      If traffic has to give way when you’re leaving then you’re doing it wrong.

  • Bren20 on 31/10/2023 - 08:15
    +2

    Complain to the school and to council, stress that it's a safety risk. A school that big should be managing their parking better, council should put in a lot of 2min pick up/ drop off parking. Reverse parallel parking isn't really suitable for drop offs.
    A school that size shouldn't rely on kerbside parking, council should have made them include a drop off area within the school when it was being built

  • dcash on 31/10/2023 - 08:20
    +1

    Rude is essentially double parking while you wait for somebody else to leave a spot, who may or may not be actually leaving the spot. If there is an empty space, you're more than entitled to reverse park into it. There's nothing rude about that at all.

  • Wilson Wallace on 31/10/2023 - 08:35
    +2

    I always reverse parallel park on busy roads and do not wait for cars behind to stop. I usually at times as well, stop so far right, that they have to cross the line and go on opposite traffic to go around me but then I still don’t stop. I force myself to park and if I hit them I hit them.

    Everyone is in a hurry.. in a hurry to get absolutely no where! Keep doing what you are doing, bank up that traffic. It’s more dangerous if you wait for them to pass.

  • kev88au on 31/10/2023 - 08:36
    +3

    If you’re doing this already, then great, but if you’re not, maybe come to a physical stop while the car park is still in front of you, indicate your intention, and then start the manoeuvre.

    There have been a few times that people in front of me have signalled their intention to reverse park only when they are about to go into reverse. By then, I’m already unintentionally blocking the spot with traffic behind me.

    • ReaperX22 on 31/10/2023 - 11:13
      +1

      Agree with this. Especially if you've past it and come to an abrupt stop.

      This is also the case if the parking spot is within ~50m of the next corner/turn as well, people can just assume you're turning left at the next junction. Make the intention very clear and people will have lightbulb moments lol

  • BendBridge on 31/10/2023 - 08:47

    I know the feeling. I’d do it if I had no other places to park but I’ll definitely park 100m away if it doesn’t hold up the traffic. Also if the space is long enough, I’d just drive head in first and straighten inside. That way, the cars behind can drive through and everyone is happy :)

  • 2esc on 31/10/2023 - 09:01

    Sadly going by the poll results its a reflection of society today.

  • JimB on 31/10/2023 - 09:13
    +1

    2000 students in one primary school?

    • smartazz104 on 31/10/2023 - 11:38
      +1

      I wonder how many of these students live outside of the catchment zone…

      • JimB on 31/10/2023 - 11:40

        You wouldn't think too many as the staff wouldn't want 2000 students.

        Where do you even room 2000 primary school students?

        • smartazz104 on 31/10/2023 - 11:41

          I wonder if schools still use portables like they did back in my day…

          • JimB on 31/10/2023 - 11:47
            +1

            @smartazz104: I'd say more than half of the 2000 students will be in portables.

            I don't think portables are that bad, I studied in them. It's more the fact they take away open space for the kids. The monkey bars were already full enough at my primary school of 200 students.

            Would the principals even know your name unless you're either the dux or trouble maker?

            • azero on 31/10/2023 - 13:27
              +1

              @JimB: well nearly 75% of them are 2 storey portables. Well I mean those 2 storey buildings aren't exactly very portable.

              Everyone is in the zone, school went from 350+ kids to 2000 in 5 years - welcome to Melbourne :)

  • SlickMick on 31/10/2023 - 09:16

    Oh, are we supposed to give way to reverse parkers? I thought they sat there until there is no traffic.

  • backpaqer on 31/10/2023 - 09:37

    It was carnage dropping off at any school in our area. We would always drop off away from the action. My wife and daughter nearly got run over by someone reversing through a set of red pedestrian traffic lights. Just assume they're all out to kill you and you'll be fine. Speaking of fines, our local council regularly sends an officer to take photos of anybody parking illegally which, on occasion, is that person who reverse parks into the front of the queue and they have a picture of them in the no-standing zone, they are that desperate to fill their revenue buckets! (it got contested and thrown out thankfully)

  • 82norm on 31/10/2023 - 09:47
    +1

    As long as you don’t do a George Constanza, you’ll be fine.

    • Breno785au on 31/10/2023 - 13:37
      +1

      George was totally in the right but wrong at the same time haha

  • Davelovesdealz on 31/10/2023 - 09:47
    +2

    this is hilarious - learn how to park and park anywhere that is legal….

  • saltypete on 31/10/2023 - 10:16
    +1

    Yes, if it’s a valid park go for it.
    As others say - slow down early and indicate to get the parent behind you awake, then take the park. Don’t try to rush it as that’s when folk stuff up.
    Remember - if you don’t, the next car will take it - someone will park there and traffic will be held up anyway.
    Don’t make it an issue or attach useless emotions to it.

  • BatsRule on 31/10/2023 - 10:30
    +1

    I wouldn't be worried about the others. You are parking.
    Don't rush, you may make a mistake and hit another vehicle or a child you don't see behind.

  • Spootage on 31/10/2023 - 10:51
    +1

    I hate reverse parallel parking, especially under pressure when cars are banked up behind me, so I'd rather keep driving to the next available spot.

    • smartazz104 on 31/10/2023 - 11:39
      +1

      Yes that's what the guy behind you wants you to do, so then he can take the spot you wanted.

  • numloxx on 31/10/2023 - 11:38
    +2

    Same thing happened to me. I always put my indicator on very early and slow down to give them plenty of time. I stop, change up reverse, wait a second, check to make sure I have room and then start to move. If they are in the way, I stop and wait and wait and wait… Held up the traffic for about a minute. But when she moved back and let me Park, I got out and all the drivers behind me gave me a thumbs up for doing the right thing and standing my ground.

  • OzBarAnon on 31/10/2023 - 12:24

    Just walk the 100 metres

  • Homr on 31/10/2023 - 13:20

    I have parallel parking phobia and this is the reason why. I just completely spaz out when I try to do the maneuver and see lines of cars banked up behind me. The fear of people honking me, or trying to go around me when I reverse is frightening. I'm so jealous at my friends who can swing their car in the spot all in one motion.

    Anyway somewhat related incident. I was driving behind this car that wanted to reverse parallel park. I didn't know he was going to reverse park and I ended close to his rear blocking his spot and he couldn't reverse. When I realized what I did, I tried to reverse back to give him room but the other car behind me was also close to me so I couldn't reverse, it was very busy at the time. The car infront of me gave up and slammed on the accelerator and gave me the finger. AITA?

    • ReaperX22 on 31/10/2023 - 15:56
      +1

      It happens. Lol. Also see above, did they slow down early enough/indicate early enough etc etc. If not, NTA!

      If you weren't paying attention, then still NTA, just honest mistake as long as you didn't actually hit them :P. The fact he 'sped up and gave you the finger' leads me to believe they weren't the type to give the proper intention/warning to park hehe

  • sauce2k on 31/10/2023 - 16:06
    +1

    only cowards are scared of holding up traffic. Do you thing King/Queen.

  • dogboy on 31/10/2023 - 16:30
    +1

    I think it also depends on how good you are at reverse parking. If it takes <20 seconds then no worries. If it takes more than that then don't.

  • Ricktheroller on 31/10/2023 - 17:53
    +1

    If you can do it first or second go no problems, if you park more along the lines of someone featured on Dash Cam Owners Australia, then no.

  • Brianqpr on 31/10/2023 - 18:26

    I do it but I hate doing it. Indicate as early as possible is the best strategy.

  • zombie hunter on 31/10/2023 - 18:28

    Don’t care I hold up traffic any where I go in my slow diesel landcruiser

  • YellowDieselGolf on 31/10/2023 - 19:38

    The secret is to approach the school at 80-90km/h. This will create a gap behind you, which you can use to safely park.

  • SpicyStew on 31/10/2023 - 20:17

    i bet the deep underlining problem is your parallel parking

  • THICKnSLOW on 31/10/2023 - 22:27

    Park two streets away and walk, walking is good for you.

  • George Washington on 31/10/2023 - 22:34
    +3

    I got a better idea move the school to a quieter location

  • Oz em on 31/10/2023 - 22:42
    +2

    Your kids school needs a drop and go

    We drive through, they call the kids name, kid gets in car, we leave. No parking, no getting out of car, just like getting maccas but you get your kid.

  • a-friend on 31/10/2023 - 22:52

    I stop around 150m before and let the kids walk to the school. I take a U turn and go back. There is a point after which I cant take a u-turn, thats where the traffic starts. I never go past that point.

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