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G.38
ANGLE PARKING
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This
chapter describes proper procedures and hints on parking
safely in shopping centre or other parking lot. Usually
spaces are marked with white lines at 90 deg. angle. (Not to be confused
with 45 or 60 deg. angle parking.
(Photo:
3bp.blogspot.com)
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Mishaps in
car parks are usually minor, but are nonetheless a nuisance and often
costly to repair. Good
judgement, patience and observation are skills a good driver must
possess in manoeuvring the vehicle, even at slow speed in a parking
lot.
Let's
apply the
system of car control,
as described in Chapter 5, for the simple task
of parking your vehicle in a public car
park:
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The System of car
control, applied to angle parking: |
| 1.
Course (What to do?) |
You
are looking for a vacant space, where to park. |
| 2.
Mirrors and signal... |
...after
you have located where you will
park. |
| 3.
Adopt correct speed |
In a carpark, always move at walking
pace. |
| 4.
Gear |
First gear is best in a car
park to maintain low speed. |
| 5. Give
Way |
You may need to wait and give way to
other vehicles. |
| 6. Go! |
Enter
the parking space. |
How
to position for angle parking:
| (Example
shows parking space on right. Start with diagram 1 on
bottom). |
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3. Move slowly into the car parking
space.
The wider your approach has been, the more room you have to
position your vehicle parallel to the white lines and in the centre. Read signs,
for time limits and other restrictions. (Note: 90 deg. spaces on right, 45
deg. on left). |
3.
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2. Turn steering sharp
right,
allow for the
rear wheels to trail the front wheels by a few feet. It
may appear that this car has moved too far forward, but not so. The rear
wheel position matters most,
not the front. The rear wheels are fixed, while the front ones can be
steered. |
2. |
| 1.
Parking in space on left:
As you approach slowly, indicate right to let others know what
your intention is.
Check behind and for oncoming traffic. When clear
move to the left as far as practicable. (The car is strictly
speaking on the wrong side of the road, but this is
necessary to be able to park correctly between
vehicles.) |
1. |
When parking
in a space
on the left,
approach wide from the far right (where you should
already be
driving on). Check for overtaking traffic, including bicycles
or pedestrians, indicate left and enter the vacant space slowly.
Again, don't turn to early, to allow the rear wheels to park in
the centre of the space.
Common angle parking
problems:
Turning the steering wheels
too soon.
The car will be too close to other parked cars.
Reversing out
without giving way.
Before leaving a space, check in all
directions and behind as you reverse. A common mishap occurs
when two vehicles, parked opposite each other, reverse at the
same time, not seeing each other.
Not checking
behind
for shopping
trolleys, *pedestrians, kerbing, signposts, trees or other vehicles.
Turning the wheels
too early and/or sharply
when reversing out. Remember, as you turn the front wheels the car is moving
sideways.
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General rules in car parks:
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| Move at
walking pace.
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The speed limit may be as low as
5 mp/h (8 km/h). Car parks
can be busy with children and pedestrians. Use the horn if necessary,
before moving. |
| Stay well to the
right on exiting.
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If you block others from entering as you exit, you may cause traffic
to come to a stop on the main road. Many rear-end
collisions have occurred after traffic stopped on a busy
road, unable to enter a parking lot. |
| Open doors
carefully... |
...
especially when there is little space between vehicles. In windy weather, get a firm
grip on the handle to keep it under control. Teach children from an
early age to not open car doors carelessly. |
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