This could be the most talkedabout maneuver amongst new drivers and their biggest fear, when it comes to
driving. I have heard of stories how drivers elect to park one or two blocks
away to avoid parking between two cars.
The most important thing to
consider when attempting a park between two vehicles is safety first.
Approaching a vehicle ahead of
you, parked on the side of the roadway should be done and planned well in
advance. The beginning of the maneuver should start far enough back. If the
roadway is wide enough, check you're mirrors, touch you're brake pedal to warn
other drivers that you are slowing down and stopping. Signal to the right,
assuming we are parking on the right. Check you're right shoulder, keeping the
steering wheel straight. Once everything is safe, gradually move over, and
drive in a straight line alongside the vehicles you're planning to park
between. Do not attempt to move in at the last minute, towards the vehicle. You
should be planning this far enough back to swing in sooner, so you will be
going straight along side the vehicle, as you approach the vehicle in front of
you. You should have a minimum of a couple of feet clearance.
As you pull along side the spot
that you are attempting to park, pause, and make a decision on the size of
area. This decision should only take a couple of seconds. Is it big enough for
you're vehicle? You should have a few feet extra on both ends of the car. You
have to leave enough room for other drivers that may attempt to back up, if
they have to clear the vehicle in front of their car, to get out. Once you have
made the decision that the area that you are going to park is big enough.
Continue straight ahead, and stop, when you are parallel to the vehicle you are
going to park behind, and change gears to reverse.
Look out the back passenger
window and check if you can see the tail end corner of the vehicle, you are
parking beside. If you can see it, this is you're turning point. If not, check
you're left shoulder for pedestrians. You shouldn't have to worry about traffic
at this point. You're front end is not swinging out. Only when it is safe, roll
straight back, looking out the back passenger window, and stop when it comes
into view. By doing this, you're vehicle front end should clear the car in
front of you, but you still have to check to make sure, when you swing in. It
will not work if you're only a couple inches away from vehicle you're beside.
You need to be two or three feet away.
