I’ve noticed that people tend to back into parking spaces at much higher rates than other countries I’ve lived in. I know it’s generally considered to be a more conscientious, forward-thinking way to park (cf. [https://www.vox.com/2016/8/1/11926596/safer-back-into-parking-spaces](https://www.vox.com/2016/8/1/11926596/safer-back-into-parking-spaces), and the studies it cites), consistent with my mental model of Swiss people. But the culture I grew up in emphasized this not at all — neither my formal training, nor my parents ever suggested it. I subsequently learned to drive on the other side of the road in another country, and they also made no mention of it.
As part of my ongoing quest to more fully understand the psyche of this great country, please can I ask: Swiss people, how are you told to do this? Is it considered rude / slovenly / whatever not to?
33 comments
Yes, it’s a large part of driver’s ed.
I do back parking, because in tight places it’s easier to park this way. And swiss parking places are not very large. Go to the parking space, just across the border and they’re twice as big. There I park with front(sometimes)
That’s how it’s taught these days in driving lessons, and some workplaces mandate it too for employees, for workplace safety reasons.
This is not specifically Swiss though, I’ve seen this in other countries too.
You do have to do a backward parking maneuver when you pass your driving permit. Pretty much guaranteed..
It’s just reducing the parking space needed per vehicle. So, it’s pretty logical if space is important.
youre overthinking…just park however the situation requires. parking backwards is often more practical in tight spaces in my experience.
The Swiss are smart. They’re great planners, planning plans for the future. That and good at chocolate
It’s so much easier to park backwards, but obviously nobody told the French
In the military I was told to always back into spaces, like this if you need to leave in a hurry you’re already ready to go. People who may be volunteer fireman or others will likely also have this habit.
Yes, you have to learn it for the driver’s exam. In my region they always check either sideways parking or backwards parking during the exam, so the driving instructors train it with the students beforehand.
Cars are way more maneuverable in reverse and parking in tight spots is easier and safer. It’s also safer when you are leaving the spot because you have better visibility.
It was part of my training in Bulgaria and I know people train for it here as well.
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Everyone who has a driver‘s livence should been tought that
Immer bereit!!
Back parking is an essential skill of European urban driving with its tight parking spaces. It’s the case for CH, DE and IT at least.
I learned how to drive in Italy and there it was part of the things that they could ask you to do (although they typically asked to perform parallel parking at the exam).
I still like to keep the steering wheel as free as possible as long as possible, so backing into a spot is usually the way to go. On the other hand, most of my parking happens in places (home, supermarket, shops) where I need access to the boot, so it is easier to park forward into the spot.
By my count I have four instruments dedicated to making backing into spaces easier. None for the front. Unless I have a very specific reason not to, backing is way easier.
immer ready for combat ahah, that’s come for a lot of people from the military
It’s just much easier, especially with modern cars where you have cameras on the sides and the back. Way easier to get into tight spots
I think that the train of thought goes somewhat like this:
Since I arrived at my destination with some seconds to spare, why not invest those seconds to back up into the parking space? This way I can get out easier and faster when i leave.
Time is money here so you are kinda making an investment…
Swiss parking spots are tighter than a bird’s ass. Backing in is a necessity.
That’s how I was taught to park, also your car is more maneuverable in reverse so it allows for easier parking when in a tight situation. I do drive into spots out of laziness when I have enough space though.
My office requires everyone to park backward as part of the safety rules.
A friend from Quebec taught me to do it
It depends.
Are there people/residences right next to the spot? Park forward, you don’t wanna spew exhaust fumes on them.
Is it a forward diagonal spot? Park forward. This is often deliberately done to prevent the previous point from even being a possibility.
Otherwise, park backwards. Easier and safer to come out afterwards.
Yes this is thaught in drivers ed. And also it’s easier, as when backing in, the part of the vehicle that has to be able to move sideways is the part that actually can move sideways.
There are private underground parkings whose owners desire you to park forward, because “the wall gets dirty” from exaust when you park backwards.
In other places (most notably the U.S.) parking backwards is (or at least was) prohibited in certain areas, where the cars only had a license plate in the back and a passing police car would not have been able to see all the plates.
You usually park backwarts so you can leave faster
I dunno about psyche but that just how my driver instructor thought me how to do it.
It’s force of habit really.
Not really, in some underground parkings it’s even against the rules since the exhaust smoke might stain the walls
I was actually taught that indeed. It was not a mandatory thing but more like a best practice.
It is easier to back park in some awkward spots and easier to go out front + you have a better view.
So I guess yes, some of us where taught that in driving school.
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At the exam the only mandatory parking style is (was) parallel parking.
I don’t know why but I like to drive off fast when leaving and I mostly be a little early to my appointment so I take my time to park in reverse.
Someone told me: good managers are backing. From this day on I follow the rule.
You invest a little bit more time, but are quicker to leave
i do it because in case of an emergency (i.e. driving to the hospital) i can leave without losing precious time