Parking your vehicle is a simple action that can be complexed when trying to do so safely. For example, what side you park on, where you park, and how close you park all depend on the situation.
When parking your vehicle, it is important to remember that it is a moving piece of machinery. It has potential to move on its own, and can cause serious damage and injury if not parked safely.
Parking tips for different situations are listed below! These tips are provided by the America National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Administration. They are free to use and helpful for everyone who drives- let’s get parking safely!
When leaving your vehicle, it is advised to get out of the vehicle and then exit the area. This tip is given for safety due to the possibility of unexpected events occurring after you have parked your vehicle. Such events could be someone or something attacking your vehicle or yourself.By having the ability to quickly get out of the vehicle, you are able to prevent further harm.
To make sure you have locked your door
After you have parked your vehicle, it is important to make sure that you have locked your door. You can do this by pulling on the door handle and then pushing the lock button.
This is a simple gesture that can save you a lot of worry. If you did not lock the door then you will feel comfortable knowing that it is locked after trying to open it.
However, if you did not park properly or had to pull forward or back then you should check the car again. The reason for this is because the car may have shifted and then the previously locked door may now be unlocked.
Getting out of the car briefly is also a good time to check all around your vehicle for any unexpected visitors. This will keep you safe in case someone was following you or trying to hurt you.
To double check your lock
Once you’ve exited your vehicle, it’s important to double check that you’ve locked your car. For example, if you’re leaving your car for a few minutes to run into a store, make sure you’ve locked the car and took out your keys.
It may sound silly, but millions of people each year fail to properly lock their cars. It’s so common that there’s even a name for it—it’s called normalcy bias.
This means that people who recognize the danger of failing to properly lock their cars don’t do so because they assume this doesn’t happen very often.
It is important to get into the habit of always checking your car door locks and putting your key away in your pocket or purse after getting out of the vehicle.
For potential hazards
There are some situations where you should definitely get out of your vehicle. If there’s a fire or smoke, if someone is trying to break into your vehicle, or if you feel unsafe, then you should get out and take other precautions.
If there’s a fire or smoke, you should also evacuate others who are in the area. If someone is trying to break into your vehicle, it is best to drive away as soon as possible before they have a chance to harm you or your car.
You should always be aware of your surroundings when exiting the vehicle as well. Make sure to look both ways and keep your doors locked while you are assessing the situation.
Getting out of the vehicle may seem unnecessary, but it can save your life in some situations. It is better to be overly cautious than to pay the price later on.
To look for any traffic or pedestrian activity around you
Once you’ve parked your vehicle, for greatest safety you should get out of your vehicle to check the area around you for any traffic or pedestrian activity.
This is called patrolling and is an important safety procedure used by law enforcement officers. You can patrol on foot or in your vehicle, depending on the situation.
To patrol on foot, first get out of your vehicle and check the surrounding area for threats. Then, walk around the area to look for anything out of the ordinary.
If there are no threats present, then you can return to your vehicle to wait for instructions from authorities. If there are threats present, then you may be instructed to either stay in your vehicle or leave it to take some kind of action.
Either way, being able to stay in contact with authorities is important so that they can coordinate with you.
For spilled liquids or debris on the ground
Once you have parked your vehicle, if there is spilled liquid or debris on the ground near where you will be parking, it is best to check the surrounding area for any hazards.
If there is something on the ground that looks like it could damage your tires or the vehicle underneath them, get out and check them for damage. If you find any damage, send someone to notify security or a staff member to help you fix the problem.
Getting out of your vehicle for this can prevent further problems that could arise from not checking your tires and underneath your vehicle.
For safety reasons, it is best to get out of your vehicle after parking for any reason. This is true whether you are just getting out to look at something nearby or for any other reason.
For lights and signals
After you have parked your vehicle, you should make sure that your lights and signals are off. Many people do not know this safety tip, but leaving them on can lead to danger.
If you left your lights on while moving, people would be aware of your presence. If you left them on while parked, people would be warned not to approach your vehicle.
In both cases, this would prevent some kind of confrontation or harm to yourself or others. It is a small detail that many people do not recognize the importance of.
If you need to get out of the car for any reason after parking, make sure to turn off the lights and signals before exiting the vehicle. This is for safety after you have exited as well- if you have activated them before exiting, it could lead to being spotted by someone who intends to cause harm.
These little details help promote greater safety after parking your vehicle.
For vehicle integrity
Once you’ve parked your vehicle, for vehicle integrity you should always get out of your vehicle to check the surrounding vehicles and your car for any dents or debris.
This is called a visual inspection and it is very important to do this before leaving the parking lot. You can also do a tactile inspection, meaning to touch or feel the exterior of your car for anything out of the ordinary.
Vehicle experts recommend having a friend check your car for these things as well, as someone else may notice something that you don’t.
After completing these inspections, if there are no issues then you are safe to leave the parking lot! Remember to always get out of your vehicle before leaving the parking lot for safety.
For snow and ice removal from your vehicle before driving away
Once you have parked your vehicle, for greatest safety you should get out of your vehicle to remove snow and ice that may have accumulated on your vehicle.
To do this, first sweep any snow off the vehicle then use a brush or towel to remove any ice. Afterwards, you can use a hairdryer to warm the car up quicker.
This is important because if there is snow or ice on your vehicle, your fuel economy will be decreased and safety may be compromised. Also, safety protocols for driving may be altered due to the lack of adequate heating or cooling systems.
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