Is parking truly an impossible task for some?
Posted by Susannah Mayers
Many drivers may struggle to park their car into a bay because they feel that there just is not enough space between their vehicle and other mobile motors.
Well, new research may give some weight to this dilemma, with the organisation suggesting that there is a distortion regarding the width of a car and the measurement of a standard car parking space.
According to the study, the average British vehicle is now two inches wider than the minimum width that the Department for Transport (DfT) issues as a guideline for creating new parking bays.
This is because in the last 40 years, the most popular British cars have gained some extra inches, with 16 per cent the average gain in measurement.
Using the Ford Escort as an example, the model had a width of just five foot and two inches when it was released in 1968, but the most recent model measures six foot and one inch in contrast.
How has the DfT reacted to such design changes?
Despite these alternations, the DfT has failed to change their parking guideline since 1994, with five foot and eleven inches the recommended minimum.
Looking further into the problem, Paul Watters, of the AA, explained: "Today's cars are bigger than those of a couple of decades ago yet scarcity of parking spaces has led to some car parks and street bays becoming smaller."
However, local transport minister Norman Baker believes that there needs to be a limit to the size of a car parking bay so that it suits both the driver and other members of the public.
"If all parking bays had to be wide enough to accommodate larger cars and 4x4s, driving would be made impossible on many narrow roads," he pointed out.
Professional driving instructor, Neil Beeson, recently carried out his own research which suggested that women drivers were better at parking their car in the centre of a bay than their male counterparts could achieve.
Do you struggle to park your car?
There are some spaces that I just cannot get into, and my car is not actually that big. Underground car parks with pillars are one of my pet hates. Often, with the way the other cars have parked, it’s impossible to open at least one of the doors, so you end up having to crawl across the seats!
This is a very good article but misses a few extra points that are just as, if not more important.
What is the point of even attempting to park your car in a space, if you then cannot open your doors to get out.
The DfT obviously thinks that we all exit via the sunroof, (if you have one).
Spaces should allow for cars to open their doors safely to allow the driver and passengers to get out without damaging the car parked next to them. I go to long lengths to park my car exactly in the middle of the bay, and ensure that my door does not touch their car only to find upon my return that another driver is now parked so close to my car that I cannot even get between the cars let alone open the door.
This situation happens when less considerate drivers, who do not have any passengers, park their car really close to the car on their passenger side to allow themselves the maximum room to open their own driver door,
Another issue is the Insurance companies refusal to recognise this problem and the resultant damage to car doors from other people opening their doors and hitting other vehicles causing scratches and dents. You cannot make a claim on the others insurance because it is considered to be private land, even if it is a public car park.
If these dents and scratches were treated in the same way as windscreen chips then the whole process would be much better.
The only spaces suitable for any vehicles are the Parent & Toddler spaces which allow extra room between the spaces to allow us to open the doors safely.
Who should we take these comments to with any hope that has a platform large enough to do something about it?
Chris
Spaces definitely need to be wider. I use to have a three door car and the front doors were bigger and wider. Also the Ford Escort Hatchback was last made/registered (90-01). The Focus was its successor.
I always struggle to park my car; it’s hard. I hate it. There’s also a lot of obnoxious drivers that take up two spaces or park between two spots; I actually see lots and lots of folks doing this at my old apartment; like 10 people were parked in two spaces. Not because they didn’t have enough room but simply inconsiderate.
It is an issue with damage as well: the only option I can think of is starting and promoting and e-petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/