Parking should be easy. And it is for most motorists. However, some drivers make silly mistakes when parking their cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Here are 16 mistakes to avoid at all costs when parking your vehicle.
Failing to Feed the Parking Meter
Do you park along the side of the road without putting money in the parking meter? While you might get away with this infraction once or twice, it could earn you a ticket or an unexpected towing bill.
It’s not worth taking the risk. Honesty is the best policy, after all. So, if parking in a spot with a parking meter, pay for your stay.
Blocking Someone’s Driveway
There’s never an excuse to block someone’s driveway. Whether visiting a friend or picking up your loot from a Maxsold auction, don’t restrict someone’s access to their driveway—it’s disrespectful.
Not to mention, your vehicle might end up in a storage facility if the offended homeowner has your car towed.
Parking Too Close to Other Vehicles
If you love your car and have empathy for other people, don’t park too close to other vehicles. Whether at the mall, supermarket, or anywhere else, give space to surrounding vehicles to maneuver.
Parking too close to other vehicles makes it harder to get out of your car. You’ll also increase the risk of dings and scratches if you don’t respect the need for space. Not everyone is careful when swinging their doors open.
Parking Without Straightening Your Wheels
Another parking mistake some motorists make is parking their vehicles without straightening the wheels. Leaving the wheels turned increases the risk of your car rolling away if parked on a slope. So, lessen your risks of possible accidents by straightening the wheels.
Paying No Heed to Signs
Another common parking mistake is paying little attention to parking signs. Failing to take notice can subject you to fines. You may return to find that your car has vanished into thin air, only to learn it was towed.
Parking signs aren’t there for decoration. If a sign prohibits parking, heed the warning or pay the consequences.
Opting Not to Activate the Parking Brake
Use your parking brake regularly. It’s a good idea to do so whether you’re parked on an incline or not. Failure to use it can cause it to rust over time, making it inoperable when you need it most.
Blocking Sidewalks
Blocking the sidewalk will raise the ire of joggers, walkers, cyclists, and others. It’s inconsiderate and potentially dangerous to block the sidewalk with your car. And the people you inconvenience by doing so may let you know in one way or another.
Double Parking
Another parking faux pas is double parking. Double parking refers to parking parallel to a parked vehicle along the curb. It drives other motorists crazy. Whatever you do, don’t do it.
Ignoring Fire Hydrant Regulations
Just because you’re in a rush doesn’t mean you can park wherever you want. That’s especially true if you’re parked near a fire hydrant. Depending on where you live, there will be different rules about the distance cars must be from fire hydrants. For instance, you may have to stay three meters away from one or risk a fine.
Parking on a Blind Curve
One of the worst things you can do is park on a blind curve. That relates to parking in a location where another driver won’t see your car until it’s too late for them to dodge a collision. If you must park for whatever reason, ensure other drivers can see you from afar.
Stopping in the Middle of the Road
You might be moved by compassion if you see a turtle slowly crossing the road. But it’s not a reason to stop in the lane and render assistance. At the very least, park on the shoulder so your vehicle isn’t in the way. After parking responsibly, respect other motorists by not getting in their way.
Parking in a Handicap Spot Without a Permit
If parking in a handicapped spot, ensure you have a permit. You could get a fine for parking there improperly. Don’t inconvenience someone who needs the spot and has the right to it.
Forgetting to Turn Off Headlights
When parking your vehicle, ensure that the headlights are off. The last thing you want is to return to your car only to find the battery drained. Waiting for AAA to boost you for a problem that could have been avoided is stupid and stressful.
Parking in a Spot Reserved for Patrons of a Store You’re Not Shopping in
It’s not uncommon for stores to reserve parking spots for their customers. While it might be convenient to park in one of those spots, even if you are not visiting the retailer, that’s disrespectful. You might get away with it, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to deny a parking spot to an actual customer.
Failing to Check for No-Parking Hours
Another big no-no is failing to check for no-parking hours. Sometimes, parking in certain areas is restricted to certain hours or days of the week. Ignorance is no excuse. You could get a ticket no matter your reason for violating a regulation that restricts parking.
Parking Over Multiple Spaces
There’s no excuse to take up multiple parking spots. Sometimes, people do this when they’re in a rush, but it’s often a matter of being careless or lazy. A driver who can’t get a spot because you’re taking up multiple spots won’t care what your reason is.
Avoid These Parking Mistakes
If you think about it, there’s no reason to make any of these 16 parking mistakes. So, be mindful of these parking faux pas that can lead to fines, expensive tows, and the ire of other drivers.
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