Before you leave a parking space that is parallel to the curb, you should:
Answers
Sound your horn.
Turn on your four-way flashers.
Look for traffic by turning your head.
Look for traffic by using only your inside rearview mirror.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
Look for traffic by turning your head.
Explanation:
When leaving a parking space parallel to the curb, it’s essential to ensure your actions do not pose a risk to yourself or others on the road. Using proper techniques to check for traffic helps avoid collisions and contributes to safe driving practices.
- Turning Your Head vs. Mirrors Alone:
While rearview and side mirrors provide a view of surrounding traffic, they have blind spots. Turning your head allows you to check these blind spots directly, ensuring no pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles are approaching. Relying solely on mirrors can lead to missing crucial details in your surroundings. - Situational Awareness:
Turning your head to check traffic helps you assess the speed and distance of nearby vehicles. This direct observation provides a clearer perspective than relying solely on a mirror, which might distort distance. - Legal and Safety Considerations:
Most driving regulations emphasize the importance of physically checking traffic by turning your head before making maneuvers. It is a part of defensive driving, which helps prevent accidents and ensures the safety of all road users. - Common Misconceptions About Horns and Flashers:
- Sounding Your Horn: This is unnecessary and could confuse or alarm other drivers or pedestrians.
- Four-Way Flashers: These are used to indicate emergencies or breakdowns, not routine parking maneuvers.
- Relying Solely on the Inside Rearview Mirror: This is insufficient for checking blind spots and side traffic, which could lead to dangerous situations.
Conclusion:
Turning your head to look for traffic is the most reliable and safe method for checking your surroundings. It ensures you account for all potential hazards, making your exit from the parking space as safe as possible for everyone involved.