Originally Posted by ZHighlander

So here's another perspective. When backing into a space, usually all you have to deal with are inanimate objects. Stationary vehicles, the curb, a pole, etc. Once you've established objects that aren't going to move, and you take care in lining up your car to back in, and having accounted for your blind spots, then the only thing you really have to worry about is your ability to back in.

Now consider backing out of the space where you have no control over if someone decides to fly right by you, trying to get past before you pull out. With blind spots being equal in both cases, you're better off backing into a space, than backing out of it.

Other reasons ppl back in also is when their car is pretty low and they don't want to risk scraping their front bumper on the curb. In either case, there are various reasons to back in, other than for the convenience of speeding out (which no one should be doing regardless of the way they park)