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Park like a pro, pull-in and parallel

March 31, 2022 by PEMCO Insurance
Twenty percent of accidents occur in parking lots, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. You can reduce the chance you’ll be among them with these tips to find a secure parking spot and safely navigate pull-in and parallel parking spots.

Pick your parking spot carefully

Try to pick parking spots away from the main entrance to the building you’re visiting. That’s because the front of the lot is the most heavily traveled area, and more traffic means there’s a greater chance you could hit another vehicle or another vehicle could hit you.

Parking farther away also gives you a better chance to find a pull-through spot where you won’t have to back up to get out. Most parking lot accidents involve backing. 

Avoid cart-return areas (where a runaway cart could smash into your car) and end spots that aren’t protected by some kind of barrier (more likely that your bumper will get clipped by a turning vehicle).

What’s the best way to park in a pull-in space?

Pull-ins are the most common parking spaces, yet they present challenges for new drivers who are still learning to judge distances and seasoned drivers who have difficulty turning because of back, neck or other mobility issues. 

A good approach leads to stress-free pull-in parking. This short Conduite Facile video does a great job illustrating these steps: 
  1. Make sure the parking spot has adequate space. If the car next to it is too close to the line, find another spot.
  2. Before pulling in, swing as wide as possible in the other direction. That will allow you to center yourself in the lane on the first try. Put on your blinker to show you intend to pull into the parking spot.
  3. Check your mirrors and blind spot to make sure no cars or pedestrians are trying to pass you.
  4. If you drive a midsize car, turn your wheel one full turn to enter the spot when your driver- or passenger-side mirror is about even with the first line of the parking spot. You may have to adjust slightly (turning sooner or later) if you drive a longer or shorter car.
  5. Go very slowly. If your car has an automatic transmission, your foot should not be on the accelerator. Just use the brake and ease up on it to move forward.
  6. Once you’re in the spot, straighten the wheel to fully center the car, stop when your bumper is about one foot from the front of the parking stall and set the emergency brake before leaving the vehicle.

What’s the best way to park in a parallel space?

Parallel parking is arguably the most difficult maneuver on the driving exam. Once licensed, many people never attempt it again. However, with practice, you can parallel park with confidence, and these tips, as shown in this video, can help:
  1. Turn on your blinker to indicate your intention to parallel park.
  2. Position your car three feet away from the side of the car you intend to park behind.
  3. Line up your passenger side mirror with that car’s driver-side mirror. You may have to adjust (moving slightly ahead or behind) if you drive a longer or shorter car.
  4. Check behind and beside you to ensure the lane is clear, put the car in reverse and cut the wheel one turn to the right.
  5. Continue backing until the license plate of the car in front of you appears centered in your passenger-side window as you angle into the space.
  6. Cut the wheel completely to the left, and continue backing slowly to straighten the car as you bring it into the space.
  7. If needed, put the car in Drive to create even spacing between you and the cars on either end.
  8. Set the emergency brake before leaving the vehicle. 

What’s the best way to back out of a parking space?

Whether you’re parked in a pull-in or parallel space, the keys to safely backing out are:
  • Check mirrors and your backup camera, and look over your shoulder.
  • Always look in the direction you’re moving to avoid phantom backing.
  • Go slowly.
  • Know when to cut your wheel (too soon and you’ll hit the car beside you; too late and you may not be able to get out).
This video, another in the excellent series from Conduite Facile, shows common mistakes new drivers make when leaving a parking spot and how to avoid them.

What to do if you hit another vehicle

If, unfortunately, you do hit a car in a parking lot, stay calm and follow these steps for what to do after an accident. If you can’t locate the owner, leave a note under the wiper documenting the damage you caused and giving your contact information. It should say something like this:

On (date and time), I hit your (color, make, model) car, license plate (number). My (part of car) contacted your car’s (part). Please call me so that I can provide my insurance information.
(Your name, phone number)

Then, take a picture of your note and the damage to both cars. That level of documentation can save you from being blamed for any other damage to the car that you didn’t cause, and once you’ve heard from the car’s owner, it will help your insurance company process the claim.

Want to know how to keep your parked car safe from thieves? Check out this video with five tips to stop a car thief. 

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