UK drivers are making a crucial mistake when parking at major supermarkets like Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and Aldi, according to a police officer. Sergeant Owen Messenger warns that pulling into a bay nose-first increases the risk of collisions when reversing out.
Why reversing in is safer
In a TikTok video, the officer explained it is “far easier” to reverse into a bay and drive forward when leaving. This gives drivers a clear view of traffic and pedestrians, reducing the chance of an accident.
He said: “When you’re trying to get out, if you're nosed in and you’re reversing out into traffic it’s very difficult to see. You can’t see the traffic that’s coming, you can’t see the people walking around. Supermarket car parks are busy places.”
Balancing convenience and safety
Mr Messenger acknowledged the trade-off: “You’ve got to balance out the convenience of getting your shopping in the boot alongside what's safer and what’s easier for driving your car. When we come out we can see everything that is going on around us and there is far less chance of running anyone over.”
Mixed reactions from motorists
Many drivers disagreed, arguing reversing in makes loading shopping harder. One commenter said: “The supermarket is the one place where it doesn’t make sense to back into a space, because you’re making getting your shopping in the boot ten times harder.”
Others suggested angled parking spaces as a solution. However, some supported the advice, with one user saying: “Agree 100%, I will always reverse into parking bays.”
