The road safety charity IAM has begun publishing weekly motoring tips from the top advanced driver in the UK, Peter Rodger. This week’s tips are all about parking.
IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger is offering advanced driving advice to the public for free. This week his top tips all relate to parking, because as he says, "Parking is an essential part of driving which many people find stressful."
To begin with Rodger says that it is important when parking that you do not allow yourself to feel pressurised by other drivers. Parking manoeuvres should be completed in your own time at a sensible pace.
Tip 1 – Try to park on the left-hand side of the road if you can, and always do so at night.
Tip 2 – Do not rely purely on parking sensors. Make sure that you check your mirrors and over your shoulder frequently.
Tip 3 – When you are looking for a parking space do not stop suddenly. Drive slowly past it and size it up to check if your vehicle will fit. If you can't stop because of traffic behind you, then drive on.
Tip 4 – When using a supermarket car park try to stay away from the trolley parks, and don't park on corners if you can avoid it. This reduces the chance of your car being damaged by trolleys.
Tip 5 – In any car park try to reverse into parking spaces. This makes it safer when you are driving out, and is more fuel efficient as you are performing the manoeuvring with a warm engine.
Tip 6 – Leave enough space for a large vehicle to get past your car, and for pedestrians to get past easily.
