Warning to every Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons shopper driving to store
Motorists who drive to shop at all the major supermarkets have been given an important warning
Motorists heading to supermarket car parks have been given a warning about their driving habits on site. Experts highlight three reasons why drivers should always back into parking spaces.
According to specialists behind a training test at Nottingham University, one in five traffic accidents occur in a car park. And while this applies to all car parks, previous research by Which? revealed that your vehicle is twice as likely to be struck in a supermarket car park than one in a shopping centre.
The experts advised: "When it comes to parking bays, you should be reverse parking. By that, we mean you should be reversing into your bay, so you can drive out forwards when you leave."
They add: "The main reason is the one you might expect: Safety. You might be wondering, “How is it any safer to reverse into a bay? Good question. Let’s take a look:
- It’s better to reverse into an empty bay than out into a roadway where there may be moving traffic or pedestrians
- When you’ve just turned the engine on, it’s easier to control a car going forwards rather than backwards
- You’re more likely to be concentrating when you’ve just entered a car, rather than after you’ve been driving for a while
Commenting on the number of incidents in a car park, they noted the percentage was "significant" considering how little time is spent driving in a car park. They also pointed out that it's not just about vehicle damage, with 15,000 people injured in the US due to being hit by a reversing driver - including 250 fatalities, reports Lancs Live.
It added: "We’re not saying, 'reverse park and you’ll never have another car accident again!'. It’s about reducing risks and creating a culture of safety.
"But there are other benefits to reverse parking. For example, did you know it’s more fuel-efficient?
"According to research from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, reversing out of a parking space with a cold engine uses up to 25 times more fuel in the first few seconds than a warm engine. That adds up, in terms of money, engine wear-and-tear and your carbon footprint. Reverse parking is basically better for everyone."
How to reverse into a parking bay
The AA says all drivers need to know how to park in a driving bay warning it is a "skill worth mastering". Apart from the other benefits for learner drivers one in three will have to perform the manoeuvre on their driving test.
The motoring organisation has drawn up a guide to bay parking for beginners. This is what it advises on reverse bay parking:
What should I look for?
"To park accurately, you want your car to be fully within the bay lines. Try not to stick out, or clip the kerb – or anything else.
"You should also have good all-round observation at all times during the manoeuvre. You should be looking for potential hazards, such as pedestrians or other vehicles.
"There might be a dog without a lead or a small child so you need to stay alert. If there are any road users nearby or approaching you, you should always stop to let them pass. Only continue with the manoeuvre when it’s safe to do so."
How do I reverse bay park?
The AA says: "We recommend reverse bay parking when you can, it is easier to make your observations and to see other road users. In your driving test, you pick the bay that you will park in. Try to choose a space that will give you plenty of room for the manoeuvre.
"We have outlined the steps for you to reverse park on the left side. If you reverse park on the right side just reverse the instructions.
- Assess and decide what parking bay can fit your vehicle, depth and width.
- Position your vehicle towards the centre of the road, this will make the turn easier to get between the lines.
- Pull up around two car lengths past the bay you have chosen.
- Put the gear in reverse, and slowly reverse your car up to the point of turn. This reference point is usually the third line from the bay you are aiming for lines up with your side door.
- Check all around to see it’s clear and make your observations, including your blind spots and rear-view window.
- Now steer full lock left, slowly moving the vehicle into the bay whilst constantly checking around your vehicle.
- Check your left-wing mirror for the left line of your parking bay to appear and check your right-wing mirror for the right line of your parking bay to appear.
- Straighten the steering wheel as the car is parallel with the white lines of the bay.
- You can check you are straight by both white lines appearing in your wing mirrors.
- Keep edging back slowly into the bay, without hitting a wall, or the kerb or another car behind your vehicle.
- You are allowed to drive forward and to readjust your position and reverse back in if you need to.
- When you leave the bay check all blind spots and make sure you know the point of direction to exit.
- Pull out slowly, and wait until a third of your vehicle is out of the bay before turning the steering wheel to the point of exit.