THE GAP AT THE KERB

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue CXXIII, 10 April 1937, Page 28

THE GAP AT THE KERB

HOW TO REVERSE IN

'"To; park..a car in a gap where > line of cars are/dra\yn up parallel to the 'kerb 'and the: gap is :,,too; narrow to "permit of 'going straight in ;and being able to bring "the car also ( in line "one, should'- drive beyond thea.gap parallel and with as close'to. the car immediately in front of the gap....This will enable the car to be backed into position. . . ' . ;. ' ~ "' The way' to accomplish the. manoeuvre 'to the best' advantage is .first to swing the front wheels on to" the. left-hand lock, backing the; car very slowly,, and keeping; a sharp lookout from the right-hand window: Let the rear turn inwards until the edge of the rear bumper oh the right-hand side comes in line, with the.'outside head lamp of the car behind.. Continue to back slowly until it'is ■ seen that a sharp swinging in. of the "front of the car will enable .'it to clear, the car in front. As soon as this is possible get a .full, right-hand, lock on. the front'wheels, continue to back slowly* and the 'car will draw in parallel to the .kerb; To get rid of the lock. on the: wheels, if1 desired, go slowly, forward; a.foot or two will do. : Always.try to leave :room for the cars back ■ and front to manoeuvre; they may be wanted: before your own is required again. How they are situated for room can easily.' be decided by a glance at them as you pass up the line and b.eyond the -gap, preparatory to backing in. This will save the trouble of getting-out'after-you have parked, and deciding to get in again. Quite apart' from the .^courtesy of leaving other, people freedom to. move there is' the protection of <. one's property to be considered." By leaving room' for the other* cars .'to' manoeuvre -one is less likely to have his car.bumped about arid "damaged.; ' . ._ :'"'_ "'■ .-'

This is. the easiest'of all methods of parallel parking. ' It is ; only a;matte,r of practice in right. use' of the steering wheel.' The movement of the'car itself. should ; be Very slow—the' slower the better. Quick use of . the wheel with the car moving1 6nly at inches is the key to all adept handling of motor vehicles .in' confined spaces.:: It may be clever and showy to do things,with the car moving fast, but cleverness and showiness are not necessarily hallmarks of-good driving; often' they are quite the reverse.