Mason Avenue Parking — Then and Now
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
May 25, 2015
Angle parking on Mason Avenue is nothing new, as the penny postcard above demonstrates. Judging from the automobiles, the scene is pre-WWII.
It looks like there were no white or yellow lines back in that day — somehow, folks just figured out how to drive and park without them. And they all lined up front-ways to the curb. Anyone parking backwards might have been suspected of DUI.
Pity the poor motorists of last century, bereft of the advances of modern society: no automatic transmission, no cell phone, no GPS — and no town or state official had yet decreed that reverse angle parking is far superior to the old fashioned way.
There is a certain homogeneity to the vehicles in the “then” photo above–not so in 2015. Last week I dutifully parked as instructed, backassward, in my Mini Cooper Coupe, only to find myself barely able to get into my vehicle when I returned. A large F-150 had pulled in next to me, and not only was I barely able to squeeze into my car, I had absolutely no idea what was coming down the road as I exited the parking space because my vision was completely blocked. I’ve never felt uncomfortable parallel parking on Mason Ave., nor have I ever had trouble finding a relatively convenient space for my shopping/eating on that street. Henceforth, in order to be safe, I’ll park on the other side of the street or on one of the more welcoming side streets.
The old photo shows the most logical way to park pulling into a parking space. Why in the world did they use the opposite angle??? I agree … it’s backass …
I think it should be the same way as in the old photo. I would fix it … it’s only paint.
Thank you Cape Charles Wave for posting the two photos. The one of many years ago makes so much more sense. I find parking backwards very challenging and when I am ready to leave, my vision is completely blocked and I have to nudge myself hoping that a car or golf cart is not passing at that moment. This situation is truly an accident waiting to happen!!!
Far superior my [fill in the blank]!
If you look at the two pictures presented you will see one of the problems…..the first picture shows automobiles of much smaller sizes than today vehicles as was brought out in a previous post when a large truck was parked close and we have the same size street. Now what happens when that large truck or any other vehicle does not back in all the way into their spot from fear of hitting a post or bench or just not used to backing into a parking space? The nose is sticking out into the roadway and blocks the view of oncoming traffic as you attempt to leave your spot, plus obstructing other vehicles attempting to pass on the now narrow roadway. Not safe! This whole thing is out of wack for todays times.
It’s time for some rethinking that shouldn’t be too difficult. This one isn’t going to work if backing in is the only solution.
As an Accomack County resident, I realize I don’t have much of a dog in this fight, so please do not consider letter to be an advocacy of One or The Other. However, I am an advocate of logic, which I attempt to apply here loosely. Two observations: 1. Most drivers’ seats are situated in the forward half of the vehicle; and 2. Most cars’ rear ends are at least as tall, or taller, than their hoods. If the argument is about lack of visibility when pulling out, it seems to me that one is significantly worse off backing out blind until your car is much farther out into traffic. Am I missing something?
Has anyone tried seeing around those reversed angled parked cars when you are trying to turn onto Mason from one of the side streets? You are out there before you can see around them and then it’s too late if there is a car coming!!