Parking has its own unique etiquette

At the end of every drive you must park your vehicle. When arriving at home, this normally involves a harmless stop at your driveway, garage or curbside. Oh sure, it’s possible to smack a vehicle in your own driveway, or crash through the back of your garage — but these events merely inconvenience you or a family member. You might even confuse another driver (and be illegal) if you park facing opposing traffic at your curb with lights ablaze.

Those home happenings, however, cannot measure up to the potential inconvenience and aggravation you might cause when you’re parking out and about. Poor parking etiquette comes in many forms, and during the holidays, when time and space demands are at a premium, it’s especially unwelcome.

Why are there so many drivers who can’t keep their vehicles within the designated parking lines? Everything but a first-generation Hummer should fit just fine into a single spot. This weekend, however, I missed out on several spots due to those who felt the need to take two. I’ve always felt that the meaning of those lines was quite clear, although maybe not. I remember that one of the downtown parking garages had a drawing on the back of its tickets showing the correct (a vehicle within the lines) versus incorrect (vehicle straddling the line) ways to park. Do people really need a diagram to realize this?

Then there are those of you who persist with parking in “disabled” spots with no authorization to do so — unless you call borrowing your grandmother’s car with the special plate “authorization.” Simply sporting the proper plate for one of these restricted spaces doesn’t give every driver of that vehicle the right to park there. Instead, the permit is for a specific individual. Possession of the plate doesn’t give one any more right to use a disabled-designated space than a driver with a normal plate. To be in compliance, the physically challenged person must be in the car. Unfortunately, those with and without the correct plate regularly use these zones illegally. While hefty fines may be one result, inconveniencing those who really need the close-in parking is certain.

I know that some drivers haven’t parallel parked since their driving test, and even failed that segment of the exam back then. But the middle of downtown, during the holiday rush, is no time to practice the craft. If you think you need practice, do as the B&B Driving School does and retreat to a quiet residential street to perfect the maneuver; it will reduce stress for you and others during the potentially tense holidays.

Please don’t dillydally when you are ready to leave your parking spot either. Long cell phone conversations, changing attire, makeup application, or three-course meals can probably wait when someone is waiting for your spot. If you are not leaving, let the person waiting know that, but if you are leaving — get going!

Winterizing

Recently, I described some vehicle winter-readiness tips, and reader J.C has a couple more. He believes he gives the drivers in his household a visibility advantage by using an anti-fog product on the inside of the windows in his auto fleet, along with a “sheeting” solution on the outside glass.

Chain Chatter

T.M. wonders what the drivers of Subaru Outbacks are to do when encountering “Chains Required” signs, since his vehicle has limited wheel well clearance. As I’ve written, T.M., four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles are exempt from the chain requirement when such signs are posted according to Washington State law. However, you are still required to carry chains in these vehicles for at least one set of driving wheels when crossing mountain passes, in case conditions become super-severe.

Here’s a summary of what Washington State Department of Transportation has to say about clearance issues. First, it is recommended that you consult your owner’s manual for manufacturer’s guidance. You can use a device that locks to the drive wheels of a vehicle with traction arms that are held in an operational position by a hub assembly mounted to special wheel nuts/bolts installed on each drive wheel. There is also an advance traction device made from high-performance polyurethane designed for use on passenger vehicles. These products are approved for use when “Chains Required” signs are displayed.

Whether it’s parking, winterizing, or driving in winter weather, please try your best to do it with precision — we’ll all be better off for your effort!