Master the art of reverse parking

MOTORING

Reverse parking is one of the most challenging practical lessons an instructor has to deal with when teaching people how to drive. Some people are forced to drop out of driving school due to failure to grasp the techniques of parking in a not so large space.

George Mugisha, a driving instructor in Kawempe, says reverse parking is a technic someone learning to drive must master specifically because it is important to do it safely and in a convenient manner to allow others to use the available space aptly.

Jamal Nasser Kimera, a resident of Matugga on Bombo Road, says it took him years to learn how to park in reverse in a busy traffic environment. Often times, he would look for a clear space without any cars nearby and park.

Suleiman Kirungi, the acting commissioner in the Inspectorate of Vehicles, appeals to car owners and managers of driving schools to be cautious while training drivers because this improves road safety in Uganda.

He says road safety is an indicator of development and that a lot of money is lost in accidents. He adds that poor reversing is one of the many causes of accidents. Reversing requires special skills, which are highly emphasised in driving schools.

At the testing stage, the Police insist on the learner drivers' ability to park a vehicle in reverse, especially on steep gradients. While parking in small spaces, it is easier to park a car in reverse than from the forward position.

However, a true professional driver will ensure that they park in a manner that allows them to safely and easily drive out of the parking lot. Many drivers find it difficult to park in reverse mode, but experience shows that reverse parking is the safest and easiest way of parking as compared to the forward mode.

Emma Mayambala, who owns a driving school, says mastering reverse parking requires patience and once a learner accomplishes this, it shows that they have mastered driving.

"You need to take your time when reversing to ensure that the vehicle can fit into the available space," he says. While testing the skill of new drivers, sticks are positioned to allow just enough space to fit the car.

Whoever parks the car in between the sticks passes the test, while the one who knocks the sticks is considered to have failed. Sources from the Police motor vehicle inspection unit, which is also responsible for testing drivers, says many leaners who are tested are good at road signs and driving on the road, but often have a challenge with parking in reverse.

The works and transport ministry encourages instructors to give learners enough time to master parking in general and reserve parking in particular.

Reverse lights

Daniel Katumba, a senior mechanic in Rubaga, Kampala emphasises that whenever a driver is reversing, the lights will pop up at the rear.

The lights alert other drivers behind the car that it is being reversed. Reverse lights are more helpful when it is dark, for example, in the night and early morning hours. They are helpful when there is fog, dust and heavy rain.

In these situations, the car lights ensure that the motorist can see other vehicles and that other people can see the car as well. Katumba says it gets easier with practice.

"Several times, I have met drivers who do not understand that a car has a shorter turning radius while reversing than it does going forward. The difference is huge; this is why reverse parking gets you in the tiniest of spots you would never get into driving forward," he says. Katumba says one should always ensure there is about one metre between their parked car and the next.

"Rather than trying to learn to park in reverse between two cars, learn how to park behind one car first," he says. He adds that every training school should have a ground where learners can exercise how to park in reverse.

Reverse lights

One important aspect of reversing is the function of reverse lights. These are located on the hind-side of the vehicle and are automatically lit when the reverse gear is engaged.

First to provide the driver with light if it is night time and secondly to alert other road users behind you that you are reversing. The danger with these lights is that their bulbs blow so often and thus many do not function.

Because drivers are often inside the vehicle whenever they want to reverse, they never realise that the reverse lights are not working. When those lights are nonfunctional, there is a likelihood that motorists behind you will hit you because they will think you have either stopped, parked or are moving forward.

It is, therefore, important that reverse lights are regularly checked to ensure that they function well.