We all know that sinking feeling as we pull up alongside a tight parking space, wondering if our car will fit. However, according to a new survey by car insurance provider Tempcover, 32% of drivers simply choose to avoid parallel parking – and reverse bay parking – altogether.
This fear of parking applies to the other parking manoeuvres too with 13% admitting they avoid forward bay parking – even though it is arguably more difficult than reversing into a parking bay.
No chance
Some drivers are so parking adverse that 24% say they will go out of their way to park further away from their destination to reduce the chances of having to park in a difficult or tight parking space.
Even parking on hills is seen as a challenge too far by 22% of drivers who actively avoid them. Almost one in ten drivers are so fearful about being confronted with a parking space, they plan where they are going to park in advance so they don’t get stressed during their journey.
Giving up
Perhaps unsurprisingly, for those of us who do attempt a parking manoeuvre, 23% of us give up and drive off because it’s too challenging. You can perhaps understand why when one in six drivers say that they have managed to damage their car while attempting to park and 6% admit they dented or scraped another vehicle.
Thankfully, parking sensors do help alleviate anxiety in some drivers with 23% saying they rely on their car’s sensors to do the heavy lifting. Perhaps when self-parking technology becomes more common place in the years ahead, the days of fearing parking spaces will finally come to an end.
Learning pains
It’s worth remembering that this fear of parking is felt by those who are already qualified to drive. For learners, parking worries are likely to be even greater. After all, during your test, you will be asked to carry out one of three reversing manoeuvres including:
- parallel parking at the side of the road
- parking in a parking bay – either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do).
To help, you are allowed to use parking sensors – but NOT parking cameras. While some believe that using sensors is wrong as it makes manoeuvring too ’easy’, examiners will still be watching you closely:
- To ensure you demonstrate genuine spatial awareness
- Can position the steering wheel and car correctly
- Carry out the manoeuvre at a slow, steady speed.
Practise makes perfect
To get ready for parking during your test – and for daily driving once you’ve got your licence – your instructor will help you practise until you’re confident enough.
Remember, if you still feel anxious, don’t hesitate to ask for further guidance and tutoring. Tempcover also recommends:
- Carrying out practice during quieter times so you don’t have the added stress of other motorists becoming impatient and adding to your nerves.
- Getting to know the dimensions of the car you’re using so you become more confident about what spaces you can – and can’t – get into.
Bottom line? Don’t be embarrassed to tell your instructor you’re nervous about parking – as you’re most definitely not alone.
Know Your Code
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Main image by freepik