Is this the trickiest driving manoeuvre?

Survey reveals that motorists are most intimidated by parallel parking

Is this the trickiest driving manoeuvre?

A survey of 2,000 drivers has revealed that parallel parking is the driving manoeuvre we dread the most.

According to the poll, commissioned by the Accident Advice Helpline, many of us are happy to drive almost a hundred metres further just to find an easier place to park.

“Parallel parking has been a thorn in drivers’ sides since the invention of the motor car,” said Accident Advice Helpline’s David Carter.

“We’ve all felt the pressure of getting into a tight parking space on a busy street when there are others watching.

“So it’s no surprise that twice as many people said they dread parallel parking as the next most difficult manoeuvre.”

Reversing into a parking bay and reversing around a corner also made the list of drivers’ more challenging manoeuvres. Motorists also admitted to being daunted by reversing in a straight line.

The survey found that nearly half of drivers admit to attempting a parallel park that went so badly wrong that they gave up halfway through. A quarter have exited the car and let someone else finish off for them.

It’s no surprise, then, that respondents put a reversing camera to the top of their wish list to make parallel parking easier.

10 trickiest parking manoeuvres

1. Parallel park
2. Reverse into a parking bay
3. Reversing around a corner
4. Turn-in-the-road/three point turn
5. Driving forward into a parking bay
6. Reversing in a straight line
7. Parking close to the kerb
8. Navigating a roundabout
9. Emergency stop
10. Pulling up on the right of the road

ALSO READ

1 in 3 new cars sold in Europe is an SUV

Ford is opening a car showroom in a Next shop

Mk2 Seat Leon Cupra R review: driving a bargain hot hatch

Related Articles

Andrew Brady
Andrew Brady
Web editor at MR. Drives a 2005 Toyota MR2. Has a penchant for the peculiar.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Find a Car Review

Latest

New Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX gets 340hp and all-wheel drive

The retro-styled ID. Buzz people carrier is now offered with 340hp, making for an unlikely addition to Volkswagen’s sporty GTX range.

Kia EV9 is World Car of the Year 2024

The Kia EV9 is the latest pure electric car to be named World Car of the Year – and it also scooped the World Electric Vehicle 2024 prize

Salon Privé London to host three days of champagne and supercars

Salon Privé London returns to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea next month, with special celebrations of McLaren and the Porsche 911 Turbo.