Reverse Parking

Research shows that car parks are hazardous places. Tight corners, crowded lanes and distracted drivers can increase the risk of having a collision.

Entering and exiting car parking spaces is where a lot of crashes happen.

When you back out of a parking space, you may find it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians and objects around you. This is because of your vehicle’s ‘blind spots’ – areas around your vehicle where it is very difficult to get a clear view. Even if you carefully adjust your mirrors, there will always be blind spots.

Reverse parking can help manage this risk. When you reverse into a car park you have time to fully evaluate the hazards around you before you execute your manoeuvre. And then on exiting, you are able to drive out forward – and your natural field of vision is greatly improved.

You may feel that stopping to reverse park will disrupt the traffic flow – but consider the alternative of reversing into the flow of traffic. It is both easier and safer to enter the flow of traffic with the front of your vehicle.

How to reverse park

Reverse parking is simpler than it seems. Below are brief instructions on how to reverse park safely:

• Find an empty parking space you feel confident to park in.
• Drive in front of the parking space so that your rear bumper is slightly in front of the space.
• Use your indicator to alert other drivers of your intention to park.
• Check for other vehicles in front of you and behind you, check your mirrors and surroundings for pedestrians and objects such as pillars and trolleys.
• Put your vehicle into reverse gear and start turning your steering wheel as you slowly guide your vehicle into the parking space. Take your time.
• Straighten your steering wheel as your vehicle enters the parking space. Check your side mirrors as you turn and straighten to ensure you don’t hit any nearby cars.
• Once you are aligned in the parking space make sure the front of your vehicle is aligned with the front of the parking space.
• Put your vehicle into park and apply the hand brake.

Reverse parking does sometimes take one or two tries, so take your time. Pick an easy park to practice with, perhaps with no other cars in the neighbouring parks. You will be parking between a pillar and a four-wheel drive in no time!

Other tips for staying safe in car parks

Aside from reverse parking, there are other ways to prevent accidents and injuries from happening in car parks. Below are a few tips to stay safe:

• Slow down - Always drive slowly and carefully around car parks. Cars are moving into and out of parking spots, people are loading and unloading vehicles, and blind spots are everywhere. By slowing down, you increase your reaction time should something or someone unexpected come into your field of driving.
• Use your side and rear-view mirrors and/or cameras -Rear cameras can help prevent crashes involving people in a vehicle’s blind zone. Drivers should always take advantage of the tools they have at their disposal, including their mirrors and reverse cameras, but remember, small children may not be seen even with these tools.
• Eliminate distractions -Distracted driving in parking lots is particularly dangerous because you’re more likely to encounter distracted pedestrians as well. Examples of distracted driving include using a talking on the phone, putting on makeup, eating and more.