Parking Like A Parker - Pt.2

Parking on a hill?
After you park on a hill, be sure to set your (emergency) parking brake. Just in case the parking brake fails, turn the wheels so they will keep your vehicle from rolling into traffic.  If there is a curb, turn your steering wheel all the way away from it if you're facing uphill or all the way toward it if you're facing downhill.  If your vehicle starts to roll, the wheels should stop the vehicle at the curb and prevent it from rolling downhill.  This method works best where the curb is relatively high. If there is no curb or a very low one, whether you are facing uphill or down, turn your wheels all the way toward the nearest side of the road. If your vehicle does start to roll, it will probably roll away from the street and traffic.

Pulling Out From Parallel Parking?
To pull out of a parallel parking space, make sure your wheels are straight, back up to the vehicle behind you, and turn your wheels away from the curb.

Six steps to entering more safely into traffic:

1) Turn your head to look over your right shoulder and check through the backseat rear-window for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and other vehicles that may become a hazard.

2) Use your vehicle's interior rear view mirror to help keep an eye on hazards behind your vehicle.

3) Signal your intentions to move from your parking space into traffic.

4) Check your vehicle's side view mirrors, especially on the driver's side, for approaching vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters, motorcyclists, and other highway users.

5) Turn your head to look over your left shoulder out through the backseat rear-window, and begin to slowly drive forward, making sure you can enter traffic without hitting the vehicle parked ahead.

6) Again turn your head and look over your left shoulder to re-check through the backseat rear-window, pull out into the traffic lane only when it is safe to do so.

Parking Regulations
What people generally understand as "parking" is legally divided into three categories: parking, standing and stopping.

A NO PARKING sign means you may stop only temporarily to load or unload merchandise or passengers.
A NO STANDING sign means you may stop only temporarily to load or unload passengers.
A NO STOPPING sign means you may stop only in order to obey a traffic sign, signal or officer, or to avoid conflicts with other vehicles.

Besides posted parking, standing and stopping rules, there are statewide rules not always indicated by signs:

Parking, standing or stopping is not allowed:

• Within 15 feet (5 m) of a fire hydrant, unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency.
• On the road side of a parked vehicle ("double parking").
• On a sidewalk or in a crosswalk.
• In an intersection, unless permitted by signs or parking meters.
• On railroad tracks.
• Alongside or opposite road excavations, construction or other obstructions if your vehicle would block traffic.
• Within 30 feet (10 m) of a pedestrian safety zone, unless another distance is marked.
• On a bridge or in a tunnel.

Parking or standing is not allowed:

• In front of a driveway.
• Within 20 feet (6 m) of a crosswalk at an intersection.
• Within 30 feet (10 m) of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign.
• Within 20 feet (6 m) of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet (23 m) on the opposite side of the road.
• Along a curb that has been cut down, lowered or constructed for access to the sidewalk.

In addition, you may not park your vehicle within 50 feet (15 m) of a railroad crossing.

Visit www.PaulinaAParker.com for more information.