If you are parked parallel to the curb, you may get out of the car on the traffic side only:
During the daytime when other drivers can see you.
When the traffic light at the closest intersection turns red.
When you won’t interfere with oncoming vehicles.
If you use your four-way flashers first.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: When you won’t interfere with oncoming vehicles.
Explanation:
When you are parked parallel to the curb, safety is a primary concern when exiting your vehicle. In most situations, it is not advisable to exit the car onto the traffic side, as this can put you at risk of injury from passing vehicles. However, if you must exit onto the traffic side, it is crucial to do so only when it is safe to do so—specifically, when you are sure that you won’t interfere with oncoming vehicles.
This means checking the flow of traffic and waiting until it is clear. It’s especially important to be cautious if you are parked on a busy street or in an area with heavy traffic, such as urban environments, where vehicles may be coming at high speed. The key here is that safety takes precedence; you should never exit the vehicle in a way that causes you to step into the path of moving cars.
Here’s why the other options are not correct:
- During the daytime when other drivers can see you: While visibility is important, it doesn’t eliminate the risk of stepping into traffic. Even in broad daylight, a pedestrian could be struck by a vehicle if they step out into traffic unexpectedly.
- When the traffic light at the closest intersection turns red: The color of the traffic light may not provide sufficient assurance that the traffic is clear. There could still be moving vehicles in other lanes, or drivers may not stop in time, especially in urban areas.
- If you use your four-way flashers first: Although using four-way flashers (hazard lights) is a good practice for alerting other drivers of your parked car, it doesn’t guarantee your safety when exiting the vehicle. Flashers do not prevent other drivers from moving quickly, and they cannot shield you from the potential dangers of oncoming traffic.
Therefore, exiting when it is safe and there is no risk of interfering with oncoming vehicles is the safest approach.