Raw Rant - Idiots Parking in Firelane

Patiently waiting? Apparently not. To enlighten you, it is for the same reason that they put the steering on the rear of forklifts.

 

For me backing in is more trouble than trying to pull out of a spot in reverse. Maybe if I backed in more frequently and could do it more quickly the advantage of a better visual upon pulling out would pay off. Rarely am I in a situation where backing out of a parking spot is very difficult. I think if I went to a concert or something where there would be a considerable amount of traffic when leaving backing in would be advantageous for when it's time to leave - I think many people feel more confident about fighting for their chance to get in the exit line when they're facing out rather than in reverse.

 

We got a little off topic, but for those who missed the subtle comment, Pirate is correct. The turning radius changes when you are backing up (the wheels that steer are in the back), which makes it much easier to pull into a tight space. You may more often see SUV's over other cars do this since as they are bigger vehicles, they get more noticeable benefits pulling in backwards. It's physics (or at least math...).

I will pull my cars in backwards in tight spaces (such as parking garages with supports poles and narrow isles) as it is much easier to get in. I was also learning to drive when I was required to parallel parking a Chevelle, so I don't need to pull back more than once to get in, but most people with a tiny bit of practice will find it easier.

 

I agree with you but think the bigger issue is the idiots who run the stop signs in front of the Safeway. I've almost been hit several times because people don't stop!

 

I was at Starbucks the other day. A woman pulls up with her daughter in a Mercedes SUV. Parks and turns off the engine in the fire lane. There were 10 open parking spots less then 20 feet away. I informed her that was not a parking lane. She just said yes and her and her daughter kept on walking into Starbucks.

It is bad enough when irresponsible children do this but when adults teach their children to do it is another matter all together. This person obviously has no idea how difficult it is for cars to go around them and many times either risk hitting someone walking into the street or colliding with a car coming around the corner of the shopping plaza. Not to mention that it is illegal as well.

I would also like to mention to these people that since you parked illegally, if you are hit then the other driver is not at fault since you are the one that broke the law. I would think you would have more regard for your expensive Mercedes Benz than to risk it being damaged by parking illegally.

 

If you have a camera phone, snap a picture of the car in the parking zone, and be sure to get the plate in the picture. Inform the nice lady that you are then emailing the picture to the sheriff's office.
That ought to get a better response.

 

I drive a minivan and can't tell you the number of times that I get back to my van and I'm between 2 huge SUVs that hinder my ability to see on either side. AND when I think it's clear and start backing out, some jack@$$ decides to gun it to get around me and honks at me. WELL I CAN'T FREAKING SEE!!!!

If I get somewhere and there are not a lot of open spaces, I will back my van in, simply because it's safer when pulling out of the spot. Seriously, if you ever time it, it probably only takes 30 secs max to wait for someone to back into a space (most people anyway). Are you really that late that you can't wait 30 seconds?

 

Not sure if this is a general statement or directed at me. I do not care much either way as I was "just saying".

 

That's a perfect solution!!

 

How about pulling ahead in a space? That way you don't have to back up, your van is already facing forward. I also drive a minivan and that's what I do, it's a lot easier.

 

Since I don't know you and therefore don't know your driving habits, I can't direct anything at you. It's just a general statement. Hey, I'm just saying!

 

Cliff,

Do you know what the email address would be? Has the Sheriff said this would be something they would look into doing with emailed photos?

 

I ALWAYS back in now! I used to pull in...had a dead car battery...no one could get close to the front of my car with jumper cables and I was stuck until one of the cars on either side of me moved.

 

No, I don't have an email address and I don't know what they would do......the point is that the offending driver doesn't know, either....

It worked well once when I stopped a guy putting road spam signs up in the neighborhood. He kind of freaked out when i took his picture. Never saw him or his signs in our neighborhood again!

 

I thought I would chime in for one point. Many restaurants are allowing people to park (short term) in front of thier establishment along the curb. I thought it was for curbside delivery (where they bring the food to you), but after waiting for about 8 minutes outside Flatbread, I was informed that they allow PARKING along the curb for people picking up orders. I am not sure how this conforms to center rules, but they seem to encourage it.

So, you can pull up in front along the curb, turn off your car, go inside, and come out whenever. This could be part of the reason that people park in front of stores and restaurants generally.

Note that the curb in front of Flatbread is not a fire lane. Also, I think Glory Days is a curbside carry out and not a fire lane either.

 

Why can't people park in a normal space and walk into the restuarant to pick up their food anyway? Are they lazy?

 

LAZY and too special to park with gen pop...

 

Of course! I guess I don't understand because I always park way out and on an end to avoid dings and also for the exercise....

 

No. I think the stores offer it as a courtesy because the centers get crowded on weekends. People are more likely to order from places that don't deliver (Flatbread) if they know that they can pull up, park, pick up, and roll.