LOW RISK DRIVING

G.38   ANGLE PARKING

This chapter describes proper procedures and hints on parking safely in shopping centre or other large car parking area. Usually spaces are marked with white lines at 90 deg. angle. (Not to be confused with 45 or 60 deg. angle parking on public roads).

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 driving and in manoeuvring the vehicle.

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:

The System of car control, applied to angle parking:

1. Course 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 a low speed.

5. Give Way You may need to wait and give way to another vehicle.

6. Go! Enter the car parking space.

How to position for angle parking:

(Example shows parking space on left. Start with diagram 1 on bottom).

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 left, 45 deg. on right).

2. Turn steering sharp left, 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. Parking in space on left: As you approach slowly, indicate left to let others know what your intention is.
Check behind and for oncoming traffic. When clear move to the right 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.

When parking in a space on the right, approach wide from the left (where you should already be driving on). Check for overtaking traffic, including bicycles or pedestrians, indicate right 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.

General rules in car parks:
Move at walking pace.	The speed limit may be as low as 10 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.	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.