Defensive Driving and Parallel Parking

Defensive driving habits

• Keep at least a three-second following distance, more in rain.
• Scan mirrors every few seconds and watch for taxis stopping suddenly.
• Put your phone away.
• Slow down at intersections even on green.
• Never drive tired or after drinking.
• At night, lock doors and keep windows closed. See hijacking prevention.

How to parallel park, step by step

1. Signal and stop alongside the car in front of the space, about half a metre away, with your rear bumpers level.
2. Reverse slowly until your rear wheels are level with that car’s rear bumper.
3. Turn the steering wheel fully towards the kerb and reverse slowly.
4. When your car is at about 45 degrees, straighten the wheels and keep reversing.
5. When your front bumper clears the other car’s rear, turn the wheel fully away from the kerb.
6. Straighten up, then move forward or back to centre the car in the space.

Know your score

Trackers with driver-behaviour reports show harsh braking, speeding and cornering, so you can see where to improve. See driver monitoring.