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Curiously a lot of people can't parallel park. Some say they are afraid to damage the rims, some say it is just too much work. Where i live you got to parallel park because that's 99% parking.
I learned how to parallel park as soon as I got in the car to learn how to drive. I still park real good and don't avoid unless it is on a super busy street with cars zipping by. Our father taught us how to drive along with our Driver's Ed teachers.
I parallel park whenever I need to - left side or right side. And I do it without turning my head because I use both mirrors. Once in a while I miss, and have to straighten out, but not often.
But I drove 18 wheelers for 750,000 miles. We have to parallel park in those things, too. They are 65 feet long and bend in the middle, so it can get a little tricky, but most experienced drivers can do it.
It depends.
I will avoid it at all costs on a busy street. The 'pressure' of doing it quickly gets to me and I screw it all up and feel like everyone is watching (and they are because traffic is waiting on me). On a less busy side street, I have no issues. I can even get it done in one motion most times.
FWIW- I have an SUV without a back-up camera. I think I would be more comfortable parallel parking with a mid-sized or smaller car.
Wow. I'm surprised at how so many people don't know or aren't comfortable parallel parking. It's 90% of the parking I have to do because I live in NYC. I can do it with my eyes closed. But I do have a friend who can't really parallel park. It's kind of weird.
That's why it surprises you. I got my license in '85 and that was the last time I had to parallel park. If I was forced to do it now I would either be there all day getting it straight or there would be 3 damaged cars.
Curiously a lot of people can't parallel park. Some say they are afraid to damage the rims, some say it is just too much work. Where i live you got to parallel park because that's 99% parking.
Yeah. Parallel parking was part of my driver's test when I was 16. So was driving backwards for a full block (ugh)...but yeah, I park it like a champ.
My hubby is the one who gets out while I put our SUV into the teeny-est spot imaginable. He cracks me up...shaking his head wondering how I do it.
Isn't this what mirrors are for? What am I missing? LOL
Parallel parking in the dark is the only time I ever use my horn. Most parallel parking I've done is in busy, pedestrian heavy and now, bicycle heavy area in downtown cores. You're forced to parallel park. And you need 360 degree awareness.
Not a problem unless you have some dickwad behind you who is in a hurry.
When I had off-street parking I used to back into the lot and then into my spot. I had a few occasions where I had someone behind me who clearly was too stupid to figure out what I was going to do when I pulled past the gate, signaled a left, and started backing up on a curve. I had to get out of my car and TELL them to back off and give me room.
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