2) At work, people want to leave as quickly as they can after the whistle blows. Also, if a whole shift is leaving at once, it's safer. My company actually recommends backing into a parking space.
2) People that are aware that bad things can happen in public places always either back in to the parking space, or pull through if possible, so they are facing into the lane. Ever read Selco? He is a survivalist that lived through the Balkan wars. He always does this. Again, when you've got to go, you've got to go.
All that said, it might be a bit rude to do this if someone is waiting. But, what's your life worth? A little rudeness to others? Some think so.
Good point. There was recently a shooting in a parking lot where the bad guy shot a man trying to back out of his parking space. The guy ended up with a spinal injury and was paralyzed. It is easier to flee a bad incident if you don’t have to watch where you’re going in a mirror