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39. ANGLE PARKING

 

This chapter describes proper procedures and hints on parking safely in large car parking areas (shopping centre etc). Parking bays are marked with mostly white lines at 90 degree angle. (Not to be confused with diagonal - 45 or 60 degree - angle parking). In some states the driver's licence test includes angle parking as a mandatory manoeuvre. 

Mishaps in car parks are usually minor, but very frequent. Minor collisions, nonetheless, may still be costly to repair. Good judgement, patience and observation are skills good drivers must possess, not only when driving, but also maneuvering their vehicle.

Let's apply the System of Car Control to angle parking:
1.  Course  You are looking for a vacant bay to angle park. 
2. Mirrors and signal ... ... indicate as soon as you spot a vacant parking bay.
3. Adopt correct position / speed. Position vehicle (see below). Maintain speed at walking pace (5 km/h). 
4. Gear First gear is best in a car park to maintain a low speed.  
5. Give Way Wait and give way to other vehicles. Same rules apply as on the road. 
6. Go! Enter the car parking space.

 

Example: Parking bay on right. Start from bottom (Diagram 1)

3. Move slowly into the car parking bay.

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 left, 45 deg. on right). 

2. Turn steering sharp right, allow for the rear wheels to trail the front wheels by one meter or so.  

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.

1. To park in bay on right: 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 fit into the centre of the bay!) 

When parking in a space on the left, approach wide from the 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 too 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 steering wheel the front of your car is moving sideways.

General rules in car parks:

Move at walking pace. The speed limit may be as low as 5 km/h. Car parks can be busy with children and pedestrians. Use the horn if necessary, before moving. 

Stay well to the

left on exiting onto main road.

 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 shopping centre.
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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Our information could vary in your part of the world. We recommend you use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.

Road Safety by Dieter Fischer - Learner Driver Hub 2020.