Safe and courteous parking rules
Parking safely and politely is an important skill for drivers when participating in urban traffic, below are some basic rules to do this.
Proper parking requires drivers to be able to estimate distances and be familiar with the blind spots of the vehicle. In addition, drivers should also know the rules to be able to park politely and safely.
Park on the right line
If parking in a lot with lines or spaces, the driver should park the car in the designated space, not over the lines or on other spaces. To back into the center of the space, new drivers can adjust the mirrors down when reversing to see the wheels and lines clearly.
The distance from the body/wheel to the line on both sides is equal, the car is centered. Nowadays, many cars are equipped with 360-degree cameras that can help to measure the distance more easily.
Parking at the right line creates a safe distance, while also making it convenient for drivers and passengers to get in and out of the car, optimizing parking space. A small tip is that for cars parked on the curb and not against the wall, you should park close to the curb, not necessarily in the middle of the space, to leave space for other cars, avoiding touching your car when opening the door.
Avoid following the car too closely before finding a parking space.
Some less experienced drivers will need more space to maneuver into a space, so it is advisable not to follow too closely behind the car in front, but to leave enough space for them to maneuver. Generally, when another car is entering a parking space, drivers should leave at least one car length of space.
Do not block the entrances and exits of other vehicles.
When parking next to or in front of another vehicle, the driver should leave enough space for vehicles to easily enter and exit the parking space. In addition to parallel parking (spaces next to each other), parallel parking also requires spacing. When the vehicle is braked, the driver should move forward and backward so that the distance between the front/rear of the vehicle and the vehicle in front/behind is similar. This will make it easier to enter and exit. The ideal distance is 1 meter or more, but if not enough, it should be even.
Always pay attention to the rearview mirror
Always pay attention to the rearview mirror when entering and exiting parking lots, especially in dark areas with a lot of people/vehicles passing by. Children can suddenly enter or exit or stand behind the car without the driver noticing, so be extra vigilant in these situations.
Choose the right parking spot
Park in designated areas and avoid parking in prohibited areas, especially handicapped areas, school gates, or emergency parking areas.
Obey parking signs
Always pay attention to no parking signs, avoid parking in areas with no parking signs.
Space
Choose a parking space where your vehicle will not obstruct traffic or create a hazardous situation.
Avoid parallel parking
If possible, try to park in a single row to reduce the risk of causing traffic congestion.
Use turn signals
When you are preparing to park, turn on your turn signal to let other drivers know that you are preparing to park.
Don't park near corners
Avoid parking near corners, as this can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of accidents.
Avoid parking near electrical cabinets, fire hydrants, manhole covers, and emergency exits.
Parking near these locations is illegal and dangerous. These locations must always be clear to facilitate repairs, rescue, and disaster relief if an incident occurs.
Leave information when parking
Leaving information such as phone number will help others easily contact the car owner when an incident occurs at the parking place, such as collision, technical problems, vandalism, theft of items in the car. Currently, name/phone number plates in cars are popular accessories at car accessory stores, priced from 50,000 - 200,000 VND depending on the type, and can be folded down to hide information when needed.
