Every driver has their gripes about parking lots and street parking. But you can avoid being part of the problem by taking an attentive, safety-focused approach to leaving your car in that spot. These experts on the subject remind drivers about the importance of doing things right. 

Beyond the obvious, experts remind drivers to avoid these silly, simple parking oversights

Remember when you first started driving? Maybe you had a noisy, less-than-helpful family member take charge of your motorist pedagogy. Or you figured it out as you went in your first cheap set of wheels. Undoubtedly, one of your first sources of automotive stress was parking your trusted vehicle.

Fortunately, you can improve your parking skills as a whole by avoiding simple mistakes and paying attention. And experts echo that much. 

1. Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors

Even the Nissan Versa S, one of the cheapest cars on the market, comes standard nowadays with a backup camera. However, not every older car comes with the helpful feature. Either way, your mirrors are your friend while parking your car.

According to the Pennsylvania Driving School, poor use of mirrors is one of the simplest mistakes a driver can make while parking, whether parallel or otherwise. That, or relying exclusively on a backup camera or mirrors rather than turning your head to gauge obstacles.

“Relying solely on mirrors instead of turning your head can be problematic when reverse-parking. While mirrors provide perspective, they cannot replace direct line-of-sight checks,” the driving school recommends. “Always use mirrors to gauge proximity, but turn around for a complete visual check. 

2. Neglecting those parallel parking skills

Okay, so you don’t live in a crowded city where parking spaces are at a premium. That doesn’t mean you can neglect the parallel parking skills you learned when you were first starting out.

Experienced driving instructor Haydn Balch of Rightway Parking reminds drivers to stay sharp, per Express. “Whilst reversing gently, motorists should make a full turn of the steering wheel,” Rightway Parking says. 

“Then turn it again, continuing to move until the passenger-side door handle is in line with the curb and they are in the space.” Most importantly, drivers should remain mindful of their vehicle’s dimensions, signal their intent, and stay patient. 

3. Not paying attention to the instructions on your parking pass/voucher

According to New York Parking Ticket, drivers may sometimes walk away from their car with their parking receipt still on their person. Unfortunately, the parking lot or structure may require you to display it.

Don’t make that mistake. Pay attention to your parking receipt. Forgetting to do so can be costly.

4. Accelerating at the worst possible time

It happens. An inexperienced or distracted driver may simply plant their foot on the accelerator instead of the brake.

Balch, a British instructor, reminds drivers to take it easy on the speed and pay attention. “Over-acceleration and hitting the curb too fast could lead to a blown tyre as well as damage to the steering of your car.”

5. ‘Dry steering’

Dry steering, or turning your wheels and tires without any motion, does more than send up squeaky protests from your rubber. Done too many times, dry steering can damage your tires and steering componentry. “Keep your wheels in motion to avoid dry steering, which can damage the steering column and tyres.”