SAFETY FIRST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 171, 3 May 1937, Page 6

SAFETY FIRST.

THE QUESTION OF PARKING. “Judging by the irregular order in which motor-cars are left parked in thoroughfares it is obvious that a large percentage of drivers give very little thought to care, courtesy and safety in their relation to parking,” says the latest safety message of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) Inc. “Where angle parking is the rule it iS noteworthy that very manyi drivers lack the necessary efficiency to drive in to the kerbing, and at the same time maintain the correct angle, but when it comes to the operation of occupying a space parallel with the kerbing and between two vehicles, the lack of experience and ability is more marked. “A number of drivers simply drive into a space and leave their cars in an oblique position without giving thought to tho obstacle they are leaving in the way of drivers who have taken the trouble to park their ears properly. They do not give thought, either, to tho fact that the bumpers or rear-end of a car jutting into the roadway may cause danger for a cyclist or other passing vehicle.

“Clearly, too, many drivers need tuition or practice in the easilyacquired art of reversing (which is the only practicable way when space is limited) into a parking place. Seemingly, scores of drivers do not know how to manoeuvre their cars into short spaces. As in most things, practice makes for perfection in parking a vehicle, and if more motorists would practico tho art, and take some* pride in doing things properly, there would be fewer dented mudguards, less irrita>tion, and fewer arguments not only with other motorists, but also with traffic inspectors.

“Then there is the question of allowing plenty of spaeo between tho front of one’s car and the rear of the car ahead so as to allow space far getting out again when necessary. It is not an uncommon sight to notice drivers backing and filling time and time again, to get out of a parking space, and it is not unusual for drivers to be seen shunting tho car in tho front or the rear. When one drives into, or reverses into, a space, always allow a working margin between the front of the car and the rear of tire one ahead.”