Decades ago I parked in store lot that had a pedestrian walkway between facing cars. Worked really well. Doubt it would go now because the walkway would shrink the number of parking spaces.
The back up cameras were originally created for safety. The allow you to see in areas hidden from view by the body of the vehicle. Kids like to hide behind the vehicle and then jump out and startle you. Or are focused and don’t pay attention. Then they would get backed over. It didn’t happen that often, but it did happen. I know a family who lost a child that way. It’s devastating. So the back up camera became a safety requirement. It has done a LOT for preventing smaller incidents also.
My car does not have one of those. I use my mirrors, look around and back out very slowly. I’m lousy at backing in, so I prefer to find a spot where I can pull forward. I pull forward just enough so I can get the rear door open for loading groceries in case there is a car parked behind me. On occasion, the car behind me is parked over the line as close to my rear bumper as possible.
That’s what mirrors are for, but make sure you do a cursory ‘walk-around’ first to account for things you can’t see. Like grocery carts, toys, small children etc.
I did deliveries decades ago, rearview mirrors are useless since there is no rear window on a box truck. Small corrections and trust those side mirrors.
Ubintold 22 days ago
No back seat driver is she.
purepaul Premium Member 21 days ago
In the store parking lots, use both. Seems the grocery lots are the worst.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member 21 days ago
I had an aftermarket one put in my Jeep years back and I love it. I still look around though.
sandpiper 21 days ago
Decades ago I parked in store lot that had a pedestrian walkway between facing cars. Worked really well. Doubt it would go now because the walkway would shrink the number of parking spaces.
thebashfulone 21 days ago
The word “vestigial” comes to mind.
rodney 21 days ago
The back up cameras were originally created for safety. The allow you to see in areas hidden from view by the body of the vehicle. Kids like to hide behind the vehicle and then jump out and startle you. Or are focused and don’t pay attention. Then they would get backed over. It didn’t happen that often, but it did happen. I know a family who lost a child that way. It’s devastating. So the back up camera became a safety requirement. It has done a LOT for preventing smaller incidents also.
Norris66 21 days ago
After backing up camera or not, the Information Display says “Keep Your Eyes on the Road.” I yell I was!
Zen-of-Zinfandel 21 days ago
Your ancestors?
mistercatworks 21 days ago
That camera is in addition to not a replacement for looking behind your car. It can be dirty or fail at any time.
Bex Premium Member 21 days ago
My car does not have one of those. I use my mirrors, look around and back out very slowly. I’m lousy at backing in, so I prefer to find a spot where I can pull forward. I pull forward just enough so I can get the rear door open for loading groceries in case there is a car parked behind me. On occasion, the car behind me is parked over the line as close to my rear bumper as possible.
rwh2 21 days ago
2009 Ford F150, long bed with a cap, no camera anywhere, hand crank windows, old-style manual door locks. I guess that makes me one of the ancestors.
Curiosity Premium Member 21 days ago
That’s what mirrors are for, but make sure you do a cursory ‘walk-around’ first to account for things you can’t see. Like grocery carts, toys, small children etc.
wildlandwaters 21 days ago
you mean back in the Flintstone era…
Smeagol 21 days ago
I did deliveries decades ago, rearview mirrors are useless since there is no rear window on a box truck. Small corrections and trust those side mirrors.