We all like to think we’re good drivers, but research shows most drivers overestimate their skills. Parking, in particular, can be stressful for drivers. In fact, a recent survey found parking anxiety is greater than it is for motorway driving.
On Twitter, #ParkingFail has a buzz of activity every day. Data analysts at temporary car insurers Veygo took to Twitter, where they reviewed 1,000 recent #parkingfail tweets and recorded the make of vehicle shown in each post.
According to the study, Ford drivers are the most likely to be called out online for bad parking on Twitter, with vehicles made by the manufacturer appearing in 125 fail posts.
In second place is Toyota, with drivers of its vehicles finding themselves in #Parkingfail posts 101 times in the study. Taking the third spot is the American classic, Chevrolet, with drivers behind 92 instances of bad parking.
Fourth and fifth positions are occupied by Honda and Nissan drivers, with 76 and 54 mentions, respectively.
BMW drivers are in sixth position. Completing the top 10 are Mercedes (41), Volkswagen (40), Dodge (36) and Hyundai (28).
Many of us come across examples of bad parking every day and occasionally, we may be guilty of some questionable parking ourselves. Based on a recent poll, parallel parking is the trickiest parking manoeuvre according to the UK public.
There are several reasons why people park badly. For some, it’s a rushed attempt when late for work or the school run. For others, it’s due to their car being 55% bigger than parking spaces were designed for, or because they lack the skills or confidence to park well.
There are some golden rules to remember if you find yourself having a #parkingfail.
Firstly, stop, think and take your time. Try to block out any pressure from other motorists and concentrate on your manoeuvre. It is far better to take longer to park correctly the first time than to rush and make mistakes which could end up in a prang.
When parallel parking, always check the space is big enough before starting. Pull up alongside it and make sure there’s about 2 feet to the front and to the rear. Line up your front passenger window with the car in front’s bumper then reverse until your back tyres are roughly aligned with the back bumper of the parallel car.
Apply your brakes when you’re clear of the car in front and can see the kerb in the wing mirror. Straighten up until you’re level to the kerb and pull in your wing mirrors.
Finally, always double check your surroundings before you begin the process of parking your car. This can help to prevent minor accidents, avoid pedestrians and assist you in parking safely.
If you’re unsure on the rules when it comes to what is legal and illegal parking, refresh your knowledge by reading the latest version of the Highway Code. If you suffer from parking phobia or could do with brushing up your skills, take some time to practice with someone in a quiet place or organise a few refresher lessons with a qualified instructor.
James Armstrong, CEO of Veygo, said: "As #parkingfails becomes a common sight on our social media feeds, it’s been really interesting to look at drivers who are being most outed on social media and what cars they drive.
"While you might not realise, it’s important to remember that your bad parking can affect other motorists and pedestrians, particularly wheelchair users and those with buggies. You could also find yourself clamped, towed or hit with an expensive fine for illegal parking.
“At Veygo, we encourage all motorists to take proactive actions to improve their parking skills and knowledge of the law – no matter how many years they’ve spent behind the wheel.”
