The Importance Of Parallel Parking

Daily, thousands of students and faculty commute to this prestigious university. Unfortunately, insufficient parking at Texas A&M inconveniences many of us.

Very few driving tasks are as intimidating as parallel parking. Many new drivers fail on this technique alone. In fact, many people avoid parking on the busy streets because they are not competent enough. However, it may not always be possible to avoid parking in tight spaces because sooner or later, people may be in a hurry and may have to take the nearest parking space available. Also, sometimes there may totally be no space available elsewhere apart from that only available space. Here are several steps to perform that intimidating task to perfection.

Another way is by paying attention to what is ahead. If you notice a speeding truck drive past you, then try not to focus on the truck but rather what is ahead of you. It is tempting to pay attention to the speeding truck to see what it will do next but it can cause you to crash on another vehicle.

You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Concentrate not only on what is happening in front of you, but also anticipate what may occur further on. You should always assume the worst; therefore constantly think of an escape route. Leave yourself an outlet. Surround your vehicle with space in front and at least on one side to escape any possible conflict. Also, think of possible situations which may arise. Such as, what if the car in front of you suddenly slams his brakes, what would or could you do? Being aware and anticipating possible occurrences will prepare you in making a split second decision.

I sat on the driver’s seat nervously and took a deep breath. It was a hot Saturday afternoon; the sun was starting to fall and my mom and I were at the Department of Public Safety practicing for my driver’s test. My mom was sitting on the passenger’s seat and reckoned, “Aggie, you will be fine” as I finished parallel parking. This was probably the hundredth time we had practiced and every single one had different outcomes.

Drivers can practice several safety tips to help them navigate the road more safely. First, use your cell phone for emergency situations only.  Pull over to the right shoulder to make the important call.  Next, limit the number of passengers in the car.  It is a good idea after a football game for a group of teenagers to drive around town texting and driving.  Driving with friends can create a dangerous driving situation because drivers are focused on their friends rather than on the road.  Finally, avoid eating while driving.  Food spills are a major cause of distraction.  Pick up a big Mac and fries on your way home and eat it while you navigate the heavy traffic.  Finding the extra fries in the bottom of the bag will taste good as you rear end the car stopping suddenly in front of you.

Always use your turn signal when turning or changing lanes. If your turn signal does

Nobody enjoys receiving a parking ticket; it can ruin a person's day, especially if it is an expensive ticket. However, the public tends to ignore the pivotal role parking enforcement plays in a city. Parking enforcement ensures a steady flow of traffic and creates a fair and safe city infrastructure. Otherwise, without anyone to implement laws, chaos would ensue. For example, people might double-park, which may block other people in and prohibit them from leaving. Individuals would park in the middle of streets, block sidewalks, and perhaps take up handicap spots without having a disability. People with an actual disability could be forced to park a long distance away from an entrance, placing them in potential danger. Enforced parking laws also prevent people from parking at a metered spot for extended amounts of time, even days. Businesses especially depend on parking rules; otherwise, anyone could take up valuable spots in front of the store, inconveniencing actual costumers and forcing them to park far away. Streets would collect garbage and filth because of parked cars blocking street cleaners from completing their hygienic tasks.

Never use a cell phone while driving, texting while driving makes you take your eyes off the road and you could switch lanes and not even know it until you hit another car. You should never drink and drive. If a car is wanting to pass you then let it pass you, do not try to speed up because that can cause danger to you and other cars around you. Headlights are another part of road safety. Headlights should be used when the weather is bad, because dense fog, heavy snow, or heavy rain can prevent you from seeing where you are going and others from seeing your car. Headlights at night are also invaluable because other cars can tell where you are. Always adjust your mirrors so that you can see everything around you. Never pass a car in a no passing zone, the lines are there for a reason. Do not swerve around the road back and forth to miss potholes because, a police man may think you are a drunk driver and will pull you over. Never pass a school bus, even it is in motion it is still against the law to pass a school bus. Check your blind side before switching in to a different lane and then turn on your turn signal if nothing is coming. When passing a semi truck, make sure to leave enough room before you get in

To have adequate time and space to avoid obstacles in your path you need to search the traffic environment far ahead of your vehicle. Position yourself with a clear line-of-sight so you can search the traffic environment about 30 seconds ahead. This gives you plenty of time to recognize obstacles ahead and maneuver around or away from potential traffic conflicts.

On May 10, 2016, at approximately 0951 hours, police dispatch aired over the police channel that a female was being assaulted in the basement level of the Henderson Parking Garage (H-Lot), and the victim/caller was calling from a Blue Phone, later identified to be located at the northeast section of the H-Lot.

Tip Number Four: Be very detailed when speaking with the police officer. When the police officer asks for your driver's license and registration, tell the officer exactly what you are going to do before you place your hands off of the steering wheel. For instance,"I am removing my hands from the steering wheel so I can get my wallet. My wallet is located in my purse (or pants pocket)." Again, this gesture makes the officer feel safe. It's also very important that your driver's license, registration, and insurance information is valid and updated. Driving without the proper paperwork shows you are an irresponsible driver. If everything is valid, it shows you have respect for the

First off, you must always be aware of your surroundings. Of course, this is common knowledge, but you would be surprised how much a dancing man in a taco costume on the side of the road can distract a driver, especially a good dancer. In other words, the driver must keep their eyes on the road. The driver should try to keep their main focus on where they are going. Of course, keeping your eyes on the road is an important goal to have, but you should also be aware of the other drivers around you. For this, I frequently check my side an rearview mirrors, as well as cars turning onto the street I am on and the car next to me.

Fortunately, a few weeks later the state of Maryland removed parallel parking from its driving test. Since then I’ve regained my enthusiasm for acquiring my driver’s license. I’ve been driving and

attention. At night it is also important to slow down and check both ways. If there are flashing lights