Back in or back out? Is there a real difference?

002We are all creatures of habit so much that we rarely change what we’re doing until someone or something brings it to our attention. We do things that we always do hoping to get the same results. Does this sound like you? Well, now is the time to make some conscience changes to your driving that can benefit both you and other road users. Are you excited yet?

Every now and then I’ll drive my sons to school if the weather is bad and if my schedule allows it. The route that many people take to this school will make the roads in the school area very congested. It’s a residential area very populated with kids. Even though this seems to be a common travel path, we end up watching a resident back out of their driveway, often right in front of a moving vehicle causing that driver to hit their brakes suddenly. The resident seems oblivious to the danger he poses on himself, his vehicle and other road users by blindly backing out of their driveway. Does he realize what he’s doing is risky?

Since this driver seems to back out of their driveway each morning around the same time, it appears they’re off to work. To make it easier, they should really back into their driveway when they get home later in the day. What’s the difference? Driving forward out of the driveway takes less time than backing out and gives the driver better visibility when entering the roadway. Backing onto the road means you’re backing into possible risks such as other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

When they got home from work later in the day the school traffic would be gone and therefore become far easier to back into the driveway. Backing into the driveway means you can pass the driveway before entering it to see if it’s clear; such as no garbage cans, bikes, etc. There’s also far less risks you’re backing toward if you back into the driveway, so it becomes easier in that respect.

If you drive forward onto the road, you’re visibility would be improved and you could keep your motion going as you move into the traffic flow. Simple, huh? If it’s that simple, why are so many drivers pulling forward into their driveway and then backing out? Is it because their parents did the same thing? Is it because they’ve never really thought of it? Do they really even care? Only they know the answer to that question. Do you know why you do it?