Parallel park like a pro
TECHNIQUE: YOU CAN ONLY MASTER THE SKILL WITH ENOUGH PRACTISE
Parking nowadays getting easier thanks to new technology though.
Parallel parking is probably one of the most dreaded types of parking and it’s often made worse when there are cars behind you, or when bystanders are watching to see how many turns it will take before you get into a parking bay safely.
Next time you have to parallel park, time yourself to see how long it takes you and how many manoeuvres you make before you get into the space.
Barend Smit, marketing director of MotorHappy, a supplier of motor management solutions and car insurance options, says there are a number of reasons people find it difficult to parallel park.
“It’s quite a technical manoeuvre, which you will only really get right once you practise. After all, humans aren’t designed to go backwards and then on top of that there’s the worry of damaging your car, or someone else’s.”
Parking is getting easier thanks to new technology though. Many new cars now come with parking sensors and reverse cameras which could all lead to accident-free parking. However, if you are one of those people who would rather keep looking for a parking than taking the spot that requires parallel parking, you could have “parallelophobia”. Four simple steps can help you overcome your demons. Position your car so you are parallel to the car parked in front of the empty space. Your rear wheel should be in line with that car’s rear bumper and indicate that you’re turning. Check your rear-view mirror and side mirrors. Once it’s clear and you’re sure there are no cars in your blind spot, put car in reverse.
Slowly reverse your car alongside the parked car until just after your shoulder passes the other car’s back bumper. Start turning your steering wheel to the side you’re parking (most likely left in South Africa unless you’re on a one-way road).
Slowly straighten your steering wheel as you continue to move backwards. Continue to check mirrors and your front windshield to ensure you’re not about to hit a car or a pole. When the car behind you is positioned in the middle of your rear-view mirror, brake. Straighten up if necessary – you might need to go forward or back so that you’re aligned, and you’re as close to the curb as possible.
Put your car in reverse and back up towards the car behind you as close as possible without bumping it. Turn your steering wheel to the right, indicate you’re turning and put your car into drive. Check for traffic and blind spots in the line you’re about to enter. Slowly drive out. If you feel you don’t have enough space, then put your car into reverse and back out a little, taking care not to bump the curb or poles on the side. Put your car into drive and slowly exit the parking.