Steering clear: The parking challenges drivers would rather avoid

* Parallel parking tops the toughest manoeuvre according to more than a third (37%), with stark generational differences.

* Parked or stationary vehicles linked to 815 pedestrian collisions over five years

Parallel parking is regarded as the toughest manoeuvre by a third (37%) of drivers when finding a space according to new research published today.

An IAM RoadSmart Survey* of 1,036 UK motorists showed that without the use of driving aids, parallel parking topped the bay manoeuvring difficulty league table. Reversing into a space was the second toughest parking manoeuvre according to one in five (21%) of drivers with one in ten (11%) saying they struggle with front parking. A confident third 29%) of respondents did not believe any of these parking moves posed any difficulty.

The findings also show a sharp divide depending on experience: More than half (55%) of young drivers aged 17–24 say parallel parking is their biggest parking difficulty without driving aids as opposed to just 29% of those aged 80 and over.

However, almost one in five (18%) of drivers aged 80 and over find reverse parking most challenging as opposed to 15% of those aged 17-24, perhaps reflecting how the aches and pains associated with aging can impact on the ability of a driver to look over their shoulder for safe manoeuvring. Judging distances, checking for other vehicles and pedestrians, and completing the move safely can all make the task more demanding, particularly in busy car parks, at night or when spaces are tight.

The challenge may be compounded by increasingly large and heavy vehicles – sometimes labelled ‘car spreading’. Research by Autocar Magazine compared the average weight of new cars in its weekly road tests in 2016 and 2023 and found an increase from 1,553kg to 1,947kg – a rise of nearly 400kg. The standard UK parking space size is 2.4m x 4.8m.**

Parking and road safety are also inextricably linked. Between 2019 and 2023, stationary or parked vehicles were recorded as a contributory factor in 815 collisions involving pedestrians in Great Britain, according to the Department for Transport.***

These statistics highlight how parked vehicles can obstruct visibility, making it more difficult for drivers and pedestrians to see each other.

IAM RoadSmart Chief Examiner Richard Gladman said: “Every car journey begins and ends with parking, but our research shows that it can be a real source of difficulty for many motorists, particularly younger drivers. Parallel parking stands out as the biggest challenge, with more than half of drivers aged 17–24 identifying it as the manoeuvre they find most difficult without driving aids.

As vehicles become larger, fitting into tight spaces can present additional challenges. But whatever the vehicle, taking your time, checking your surroundings carefully and being aware of pedestrians and other road users are essential to parking safely and considerately.

“Drivers shouldn’t feel pressured to squeeze into a space if they’re unsure they can do so safely. Choosing a suitable space, making careful manoeuvres and avoiding parking that obstructs pavements, junctions or other road users can help make our roads safer for everyone.”

ENDS