Parking is not a dangerous manoeuvre due to the slow speed, but does require excellent control of the vehicle, small steering adjustments in small spaces, and accurate judgment of space Many collisions occur in parking lots. Checking the traffic constantly while manoeuvring will diminish the danger.
All this will be more easily understood when you are doing your practical training in the vehicleDiagonal Parking
ASSESS
Locate a space on the right in an area where it parking is permitted
Check mirrors, blind spot, and position of the vehicles on both sidesPREPARE
Signal your intention by activating your signal light
Move to the left to leave about a car width from the parked vehicles
Reduce speed until the parking space can be seen
Re-check your mirrors and blind spotEXECUTE
Aim into the centre of the parking spot
Steer sharply while rolling slowly
Countersteer to straighten your vehicle into the centre of the space
Parking lot courtesy – relinquish
Confirm that you are in the lines, and reverse and adjust accordingly to correct
Reduce speedLeaving a Diagonal Parking Space
ASSESS
Check the position of your tires
Straighten the steering wheel and tires
Check the flow of traffic behind you
Is it safe to back into traffic at this time?PREPARE
Complete your pre-driving check
Depress the service brake pedal
Shift to Reverse (R)
Activate the right turn signal
Re-check to the left, right, and behind youEXECUTE
Ease-off the brake (a gentle bit of pressure may be required on the accelerator to initiate vehicle movement)
Reverse slowly and turn the wheel slightly
When the front of your vehicle passes the rear of the vehicle on your left, look to the right rear and turn sharply in that direction
Before stopping, countersteer to straighten your wheels
Stop, shift to Drive (D)
Activate the left turn signal
Check traffic
Accelerate to speed and cancel the turn signalBacking Into A Perpendicular Space
ASSESS
Locate a space on the right in an area where it parking is permitted
Check the oncoming traffic
Check mirrors, blind spot, and position of the vehicles on both sides
Be aware that some of the parked cars may start moving
Is backing into the space safe?PREPARE
Activate the right turn signal
Move to the left to leave about a car width from the parked vehicles
Reduce speed and stop when the rear of your vehicle is in line with the vehicle after the space
Shift to Reverse (R)
Re-check your mirrors and blind spotEXECUTE
Ease-off the brake (a gentle bit of pressure may be required on the accelerator to initiate vehicle movement)
Aim into the centre of the parking spot
Steer sharply while rolling slowly
Check traffic, both in front and behind
Countersteer to straighten your vehicle into the centre of the space
Stop when your vehicle lines up with the other vehicles
Confirm that you are in the lines, and reverse and adjust accordingly to correctLeaving a Perpendicular Space
ASSESS
Check the flow of traffic ahead of youPREPARE
Apply the service brake
Shift into Drive (D)
Activate the turn signal
Release the parking brake
Re-check to the left, right, and behind youEXECUTE
Ease-off the brake (a gentle bit of pressure may be required on the accelerator to initiate vehicle movement)
Advance slowly straight ahead
Re-check to the left and right
When your body clears the vehicle on your left, perform a left turn
Accelerate to speed and cancel the turn signalParallel Parking
A difficult, but essential manoeuvre for any driver in an urban environment.
Parallel parking requires practice to perform it safely and with confidence and comfort.ASSESS
Look for a space 1.5x the length of your vehicle, on the right side of the driveway
Ensure parking is permitted
Is the space large enough?
Check oncoming traffic
Check mirrors and blind spotPREPARE
Activate the right turn signal
Re-check to the left and right
Stop beside the vehicle that is just ahead of the parking space you want
Shift to Reverse (R)
Re-check traffic and left mirror
Assume the position for backing into a right turnEXECUTE
Ease-off the brake (a gentle bit of pressure may be required on the accelerator to initiate vehicle movement)
Reverse slowly and turn the wheel slightly
Turn the steering wheel sharply
When you reach between 30 and 45 degrees with the curb, or in line with the front right corner with the vehicle behind, countersteer to straighten
When the front right corner of your car reaches the car ahead, look back and steer left quickly
Countersteer to straighten your vehicle into the centre of the space
Stop without hitting the vehicle behind
Shift into Drive (D)
Advance slowly straight aheadParking on Hills
Parking On A Hill
Before you leave your vehicle parked, it is important to note the position that you are leaving it in
Front tires must be turned in such a way that if the vehicle were to start to roll, it would roll into the curb rather than into the roadwayParking downhill
Whether there is a curb or not, the tires should be turned toward the near side of the roadParking uphill with a curb
Tires should be turned away from the near side of the road (preferably resting against the curb)Parking uphill without a curb
Tires should be turned toward the near side of the road, pointing towards the shoulder. Hence preventing the vehicle from rolling back onto the roadway.Whenever you park a vehicle on a rural highway at night or whenever lights are required, you must have one white or amber light from the front and one red light showing from the rear on the roadway side of your vehicle.
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