Parking Lot Strategies: Finding Your Space

Parking Lot Strategies: Finding Your Space

Parking lots come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you have hundreds of spots to choose from. Other times you may actually have to wait until a spot becomes available. Here are some strategies to help with parking—and keep a quick trip to the store from becoming a competitive sport.

Choosing the Right Spot

The best parking spot isn’t always the one closest to the entrance. Look for a space that gives you good visibility, enough room to maneuver, and a safe route to your destination. A slightly longer walk may be worth avoiding a tight squeeze between two oversized pickups.

When the lot is crowded, resist circling endlessly in a hunt for the perfect space. True, you may have to walk a bit farther, but that might only take 30 seconds, as compared with the time spent circling or waiting for someone to leave their parking space. This keeps you from looking like a stalker, slowly creeping along behind a shopper and their groceries to snatch their space when they leave.

Spacing Your Vehicle in the Spot

1. Enter slowly and aim to center your vehicle between the lines, leaving room on both sides for doors to open. Straighten your wheels and check your position before getting out. If you’re crooked or too close to a line, take a moment to adjust.
2. Pull fully into the space, but keep your vehicle from extending over a sidewalk or into the space ahead. A bumper hanging over a walkway can create an obstacle for someone using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or simply trying to pass.

If you do a pull-through into an empty space ahead, think about access to your trunk or cargo area. Leave enough room within your space to open it and load your purchases, even if another vehicle parks in the spot behind you. That empty space may be occupied when you return, and groceries are much easier to load without having to try to lean over your neighbors bumper.

Before opening your door, check for people, moving vehicles, and neighboring cars. Hold the door securely, especially in wind. Your door should never introduce itself to someone else’s paint. Please also train your children and remind any passengers to be careful with their doors. No one likes to find mystery dings in their vehicle’s paint.

Backing In: Paying the Time Up Front

Backing into a space may make leaving quicker, but the time spent backing in can offset the time saved when pulling out. You’re doing the maneuvering when you arrive instead of when you leave, so don’t count on much overall time savings. Think of it as paying your parking bill in advance. If you choose to back in, take your time, watch your surroundings, and leave room to access your cargo area.

Parking Lot Etiquette

* Be alert: Drive slowly and stay alert. Parking lots combine backing vehicles, distracted shoppers, loose carts, and children who may be difficult to see. Put your phone away and expect movement from unexpected places, such as from between parked vehicles.

* Watch the signs: Follow posted signs, directional arrows, and space markings. Leave accessible spaces, loading zones, and other reserved areas for their intended users.

* Use your signals: Use your turn signal to show that you intend to park, but remember that a signal communicates your plan; it doesn’t reserve real estate. If another driver is already maneuvering into a space, give them room. A parking dispute rarely improves anyone’s afternoon.

* Be patient: Allow others the extra time they may need to park, load groceries, or help a passenger. Also allow drivers time to back out, and avoid stopping where you block their view or path.

* Shopping carts: Don’t be “that guy”! Return your shopping cart to a designated area. An abandoned cart can block a space or roll into another vehicle.

Happy parking, happy shopping, and remember: the goal is to park the car, not win the parking lot.

At NHSA, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!