In a recent trip to Kitimat, BC, I was heartened to see the “Back-in for Safety” initiative I instigated in 2004 is still thriving (with brand new signs even) at the location of my first co-op term.
Backing in when first arriving at your destination makes sense for several reasons. Ideally, if you can find a pull-through parking spot, do that. But if you must choose between pulling in nose-first or backing in, opt for backing in. Here’s why:
Situational awareness: When you prepare to pull into the spot, your gaze naturally sweeps the entire area you’re about to back into. This initial scan is often more comprehensively informed than when you save backing out for later.
Proactive approach: When you arrive at your destination, you are already in driving mode; you are focused and alert, which can decrease the likelihood of distractions. When you arrive back at your vehicle, you may not be as mentally engaged as when you first drove in. Your brain may be back in that stressful or exciting experience you were just in and not prepared to jump right into the high-risk task of backing in the driving lane.
Safer departures: In emergencies, being able to exit quickly is crucial. For instance, I once witnessed a driver mistakenly accelerate into my parked car while trying to leave in a hurry. If you’re already backed in, you can avoid the added risk of reversing in a panic.
In the case of an emergency, you’re ready: My vehicle was once significantly damaged when a mother drove over a large concrete median and into my parked vehicle on the other side. She had just been told by a doctor to rush her daughter to the hospital and mistakenly put her car in drive instead of reverse. It’s questionable whether she was safe to drive at all, but adding the high-risk task of backing out only complicates things. This is why you often see emergency vehicles back in—they prioritize readiness.
Fosters a mindset that prioritizes safety: If more people adopt the backing-in practice, it improves visibility for everyone. You’ll be able to see over the hoods of other vehicles instead of sight lines being obstructed by vans, SUVs, and truck canopies. In many areas of Kitimat, this practice has been embraced and is evident even where it isn’t mandated.
There’s only one caveat: obey signage. Some parking spots prohibit backing in (sometimes because exhaust can be sucked into windows or air intakes).
It’s exciting to see an initiative have such sticking power. It’s simple. While it doesn’t save lives directly, it does prevent surges of cortisol and serves as a constant reminder that safety is a core element of our work here. Yes, we are really into quality and production, but safety sets the foundation that allows everything else to happen. A parking lot full of backed in vehicles, sends a very visible message that safety is something of value.
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