City may be on to something with parking
AAA report supports concept of backing into parking spaces
For many people, backing into an angled parking space seems counterintuitive. Americans are accustomed to pulling into the space, and then backing out as they leave.
Some in the Yuma Sun newsroom admitted to driving great distances to avoid backing into a spot or parallel parking, because they simply aren’t very good at it. So the move by the City of Yuma to change the parking at Sanguinetti Park on 22nd Street might be a bit perplexing.
The new parking spaces are designed for motorists to back into, and then, as they leave the park, drivers will be facing traffic as they pull back out again.
The City of Yuma posted a video on social media last week discussing the change, and noted that the new parking design will make it easier for motorists to see pedestrians and bicyclists. It’s an interesting concept, and one that we decided to research.
After all, one way or another, the driver has to back up in one direction and pull forward in the other, whether it’s when they arrive to the park or when then leave. It turns out, the city may have a valid point. AAA says that pulling into a parking space rather than backing into it is more dangerous, as it leaves pedestrians more vulnerable when a driver later leaves the spot and reverses into traffic.
“Pulling out of a parking spot, instead of reversing, is an easy way to increase safety and visibility in busy parking lots,” AAA’s John Nielsen, managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair, said in 2015. Who knew? It will be interesting to see how drivers react to the new spots at Sanguinetti!
What are your thoughts on the new parking spots, readers? Let us know. Share your thoughts online at www.YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.
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Our new addition has required a “get to know period” and has some food aggression issues which we figured out and resolved but she is settling in nicely. I was reviewing her documents from the Humane Society of Yuma and in the section titled “Case Information,” the “arrival reason” was “unwanted -owner turn-in.” I can assure you that she is very wanted, if not cherished. Adopt, don’t shop!