A police road safety expert has made a startling claim that the majority of British motorists are getting their supermarket parking technique completely wrong.
Police Sergeant Owen Messenger, who serves with Devon and Cornwall Police, partnered with George's Car Media on TikTok to demonstrate what he believes is the correct and safest method for navigating supermarket car parks.
The parking debate: Reversing versus 'nosing'
Filming in a Tesco car park, Sgt Messenger observed that while some drivers reverse into parking bays, many others practice what he calls 'nosing' - driving forward into a space.
This common manoeuvre creates significant safety issues when leaving, according to the expert. "When you are trying to get out, if you are nosed in and are reversing out into the traffic, then it is very difficult to see vehicles and people," Sgt Messenger explained.
He emphasised that driving forwards out of a bay is "far easier" and provides much better visibility of surrounding activity.
Safety versus convenience in car parks
The road safety expert acknowledged the convenience factor that leads many shoppers to drive forward into spaces. "You've got to weigh up the convenience of loading your shopping into the boot against what is safer and easier for actually driving your car," Sgt Messenger noted.
After demonstrating proper reverse parking technique in the Tesco car park, he highlighted the safety benefits: "Now, when we come out we can see everything that is going on around us and there's far less chance of us running anyone over."
He specifically addressed the danger to children, who might be invisible to drivers reversing out of spaces. "If we had been reversing out, a small child probably would have been out of our view - because if we're looking at the back of our car they may have been under the window level."
Motorists divided over parking guidance
The expert's advice sparked considerable debate among drivers on social media, revealing a clear split in parking preferences.
Several TikTok users supported Sgt Messenger's approach. One commented: "Much easier to reverse park than to drive into a tight space. The parking bays at Tesco are now bigger so you can get your shopping in no problem."
Another noted: "A lot of companies require you to reverse park in their staff car parks, like warehouses, because it reduces the chances massively of causing an accident upon leaving."
However, other motorists strongly defended driving forward into spaces. One challenger stated: "I normally think your videos are quite good and informative, however you've really not thought this one through. Most people need to access the boot as most people are doing a big shop."
Another added: "I disagree, I do the opposite. If you look and reverse slowly, there's no issue, you hold up traffic reversing into a space because it's narrow. Also how do you get your shopping in the boot."
A third user suggested: "I just think a lot of people can't actually reverse and don't feel confident doing it so they just drive into their space."
The discussion highlights how parking technique remains a divisive topic among UK drivers, with safety concerns competing against practical considerations like boot access and driver confidence.
