| For years, I have watched many drivers spot an empty parking space and then back into it without a flourish. They squeeze their large Silverado truck into compact spaces as if they are training for a Mission: Impossible driving scene. Sometimes, I feel like I should applaud. To understand why they do this, I went to the American Automobile Association. I have been a loyal member for 59 years. You never question AAA, because you want to be on their good side when you run out of gas or blow a tire. Their answer: Backup parking has many benefits. When you are heading out, benefits include: |
| 1. Better protection of pedestrians, as you can see them more easily. 2. Eliminate blind spots from all sides. 3. Rapid evacuation. Many first responders are instructed to backup park. 4. Clearer cross-traffic view and easier jump starts if ever needed. 5. Safer loading areas and protect low bumpers on low cars. 6. Reduces street congestion and so forth. |
| I have one question. You are not backing into parking lot traffic, but you are backing up to park. AAA said that when you are parking, you are backing up into a Safer Environment. In their words, when you are backing into a stall, think Safer Environment with less congestion, no pedestrians, no shopping carts, etc. Sounds fine, but I have a problem. I would be a horrible backup parker. I can not back up a Mini Cooper into a truck stall at a Flying J. I am also a very poor parallel parker. However, for years, I have found my solution. In a parking lot, I look for a spot to pull through the entry spot and park in the exit spot. I get all the benefits above with no initial backup required. Some of you will say that it is difficult to find those spots in crowded lots. So I go to the outer spaces of the lot. This is also healthy, and your cardiologist will like that when you are told to see him in later years. There have been a few rules that I try to follow as much as I can for health reasons. Walk longer distances when you are parking. If you are visiting a building, walk the stairs if the office you want is on the first four floors. Buy a two-story house, and I have lived in two-story houses for the last 59 years. Once in a while, walk a 5K. And listen to your spouse. The other day I went to Bushfire Kitchen. It is located in the Target Area at Alicia and the Freeway in Mission Viejo. (I really like their Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing with Two Chicken add-ons, but I digress). The photo that follows shows that I joined two drivers who believe as I do. So much better to drive straight out. Join us, or you can become a backup superstar. |
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