Do you drive around the block several times trying to avoid a tight spot that requires parallel parking? You’re far from alone.
A new Ipsos survey commissioned by the public insurer ICBC shows that is B.C. drivers’ least favourite manoeuvre to have to make on the road, beating out other skill tests like backing into a stall or having to turn left without a dedicated lane.
In the survey, 59 per cent of B.C. drivers said parallel parking was the most difficult manoeuvre for them to master when they started out, and 41 per cent admitted they still try to avoid it whenever they can.
Thirty-five per cent said backing into a parking stall is difficult and 20 per cent still avoid it whenever possible. Another 26 per cent cited merging onto a highway as a problem — though only six per cent avoid it, because … how the heck else are you going to get on the highway?
While 68 per cent rated their own driving skills as excellent, a third of respondents said other drivers have poor skills.
Among areas drivers admitted they need to improve were leaving enough distance from the vehicle in front (58 per cent), giving other drivers space when merging (47 per cent) and coming to a full stop at a stop sign (36 per cent).
“For some of us, it may be decades since we learned to drive, and our road test is a distant memory in the rear-view mirror,” said Jerry Boal, ICBC’s driver licensing office manager.
ICBC is offering tips on the most tricky driving manoeuvres, complete with video demonstrations of how to do them.
How to parallel park
Find a space that’s at least 1 1/2 car lengths, signal your stop by hitting the brake and signalling right. Stop a metre away from and parallel to the car in front of the space when the rear of your vehicle is even with the rear of the parked car.
Do a 360-degree check then back up, turning the wheel sharply to the right until your car is at a 45-degree angle to the curb. When your front door passes the back bumper of the car in front, straighten the wheels and keep backing up. When you’re clear of the car ahead, turn the wheels sharply to the left and back in slowly.
If you need practice, find an empty street and place cones to simulate the parked cars.
How to back into a parking stall
Backing in can reduce blind spots and increase your field of vision when exiting. Choose a spot with plenty of room for your vehicle. Don’t rely only on your backup camera, check your mirrors, keep shoulder-checking and use the painted lines as a guide.
How to merge onto a highway
Scan the highway by looking ahead and check your mirrors for a safe gap to enter. Use the entrance lane to get up to the speed of traffic, check your mirrors, signal and shoulder-check to make sure no one is in your blind spot. Leave enough space in front of you when you enter the highway.
How to make a left turn without an advance turn signal
Most crashes happen in intersections, so be alert and cautious. Get into the left-most lane and signal left in advance — but not too early if there are other side streets or driveways before the intersection. Only enter the intersection to make the left turn if no one else is already waiting to turn.
How to pass a cyclist
Yield to cyclists as you would to any other vehicle, with plenty of following distance. When passing, leave at least a metre in a 50 km/h zone or less, 1 1/2 metres at higher speed limits. On narrow roads, wait for a clear, straight stretch to pass. It’s OK to cross a single yellow line while passing. Change lanes on multi-lane roads when possible.
How to change lanes
Vehicles in the lane you’re moving into have the right of way. Signal the lane change, shoulder-check the lane you’re moving into, keep up your speed then change lanes. Keep a safe distance between your car and the vehicle ahead and remember to turn off your signal.
The Ispos survey was conducted May 9-14 among 692 licensed B.C. drivers. Full survey results are at icbc.com.
