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LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 5. Manoeuvres |
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LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 5. Manoeuvres |
39. PARALLEL PARKING
Many motorists rather walk some distance or find a shopping centre carpark, than try to parallel park between two vehicles. Through lack of practice, parallel parking becomes a dormant skill.
For your driving test you will most likely use two poles. Here we purposely describe parallel parking, step by step, as if it were in real traffic.
Step 1: Indicate left and reduce speed, drive slowly while searching for a vacant spot. Look carefully at signs, such as this one:
Read signs for restrictions, such as time limits, or restricted vehicles only (Taxis, buses). Red is usually a restriction, such as unloading only, or a clearway applies. Green indicates permission to park during a certain period.
Step 2: Stop just beyond the vacant spot.
Look behind, reverse slowly to the point where your car is side-by-side with the other vehicle. (If both cars are average size, line up the steering wheels of both cars).
At this point turn your wheel to left lock. Keep the car moving ever so slowly. Observe the angle the car is reaching.
Note: Most roads drop off towards the kerb (for better drainage). This fact plays a role in controlling the speed of your vehicle.
Step 3:
When the car reaches a 45 degree* angle turn the steering wheel to full right lock. As you turn the steering wheel right, (watch that you clear the car in front of you) look over your right shoulder.
Now comes the heart of the exercise: As you turn your wheel further right, observe that the back of your car lines up with the front of the one behind. The speed of rotation of steering wheel and the speed of the car** must be coordinated. This is where eyes, hands and feet must work together.
* The rate of angle depends on the turning circle of your vehicle. 45 degrees is an average figure.
** The car may gather speed as it approaches the kerb. If you fail to control this roll, you will hit the kerb most likely.
Step 4: If you turn the steering wheel to too late or too slow, you will hit the kerb.
If you turn too early or too fast, you will park too far away from the kerb.
As the front or your vehicle approaches the parallel position, straighten the wheel (by turning it left).
Parking difficulties is usually a combination of above errors.
Step 5 (Final step): Move forward to a parallel position, equal distance between vehicles. Within 300 mm is a reasonable distance from the kerb. If another move back and forward becomes necessary, observe very carefully the direction the car is moving.
Remember: The vehicle must be moving (slowly) as you carefully observe in which direction the front wheels are taking it. Without movement it is impossible to tell in which direction they are pointing.
General rules:
Question: Why do we reverse into a car park?
- Always park legally and at least one meter from other cars.
- Watch for posts, trees, fire hydrants etc. close to the kerbside.
- Don’t leave valuables in full view. It only invites thieves.
- Lock all doors (use the car key; you can’t lock yourself out).
- Always look behind before opening a car door after stopping at the kerbside.
- Check road carefully, indicate and give way before leaving from a parked position.
Answer: We park the rear wheels first, because they don’t turn like the front wheels do. Reverse parking takes far less space, than trying to drive forwards into a parking spot.
Like every skill, without practice you will forget how to do it. Why spent so many hours parallel parking during your driving lessons, only to never attempt it again?
Disclaimer: Above information is for Australian learner drivers. Regulations could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents, failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend to use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.
