I don't think backing into a parking spot is safer than backing out. The article first says the lack of pedestrians makes reversing safe; then it goes on to say the presence of pedestrians makes pulling out forward safe. Which is it, are there pedestrians or not?

I think most folks are less familiar with driving in reverse than driving forward. Even I aced parallel parking in my driver's test, but I can't back straight out of my driveway to save my life.

The article makes a valid point at the end that good drivers drive well. But I think the headline overstates a conclusion of a single person.