8 car parking etiquettes that every Filipino drivers should practice

Learning how to drive isn't just limited to starting the car, knowing which way to turn the wheel, and which pedals to press; you also need to develop proper parking skills. It's not rocket science, but it does require patience and lots of practice. 

However, some people often forget that apart from parking skill, they also need to observe car parking etiquette, either to avoid conflicts with fellow motorists or to avoid being posted on social media platforms. There are certain unwritten rules in parking that most Pinoy motorists might be unaware of.

Philkotse.com has compiled this list to remind you of the things to consider when parking your car.

1. Stay on the side of the pathway 

Let's say that you find yourself in parking space in the Philippines that has no vacant slots, so you have no choice but to wait for a slot to open. However, waiting isn't an excuse to hold up the line by obstructing the aisles and impeding the flow of traffic. Always pull over to the side and leave enough room for other vehicles to pass through. 

When you come across an aisle where another vehicle is already waiting, you can park either on the same side as the waiting car or some distance away on the opposite side.

Never park directly alongside the other car, as this will block the aisle. And never leave your car when you're parked along the aisle, especially in a large parking area such as the mall; it can be extremely difficult to locate you in case you need to move your car to make way for another one that's leaving. 

2. Hazard and signal lights

Since you're already parked to the side and not blocking the aisle, there's generally no need to use your hazard lights to indicate that you're waiting for a slot to free up; the mere presence of your car will already do that.

When a slot eventually becomes available, it is a good idea to use your turn signals when maneuvering, so that pedestrians and fellow motorists can clearly see your intentions and steer clear of you when necessary as you ease yourself into the parking space. 

Use hazard and signal lights wisely

3. Always park within the lines

Parking slots are delineated with lines for a reason: to maximize the number of cars that can park in a limited space. It then becomes frustrating when you're searching for a parking slot and come across a car that has been haphazardly parked by straddling the line between two slots.

Make sure that your car doesn't get hit when other drivers open the doors

Some owners, especially those who drive high-end vehicles, supposedly do that to ensure that their rides don't get hit when other people open the doors on their own cars. But that doesn't justify being selfish in what is essentially a public space; it's just plain rude, whether you're a newbie driver or a veteran motorist.

>>> For your further reference: 

• 5 easy car parking tips for Filipino drivers
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4. Minimize horn blowing

It can't be helped that cars inside a parking facility move slowly as drivers look for an empty slot. It's also the case when cars are already maneuvering into (or out of) a parking slot, taking care not to hit or scratch other cars nearby.

In narrow parking spaces, a car horn can elevate the stress level, resulting in something bad

Unfortunately, patience is not a virtue for many drivers, and they show it by blowing their car horns. In enclosed parking spaces, a car horn will only be amplified by the walls and ceiling, elevating stress levels that could result in something untoward.

Blow your car horn only when you need to warn others of your presence, such as when a pedestrian or another car is blocking the way (short beep) or if you're about to be hit by another vehicle (long beep).

5. PWD slots  

Parking lots, especially those in large establishments, have designated slots for cars carrying persons with disabilities (PWD). These spaces can also be used by those with pregnant and senior citizen passengers or drivers.

These slots are often situated nearest to an establishment's point of entry for easier PWD access. But because of this convenient location, many Pinoy drivers take it upon themselves to occupy these slots even though they themselves are not PWDs or are not accompanied by one. In some cases, they are actually allowed to park there by the guards themselves.

Worst of all, some cars are parked in such a way as to actually block the access ramps for PWDs. This is a habit that needs to be stopped, in consideration of others who actually need and deserve the convenience of a PWD slot on account of their disabilities.  

Leave the designated PWD slots to those who truly deserve them. 

6. Follow the flow of traffic 

Indoor parking slots tend to have directional signs in order to guide drivers on the proper traffic flow for everyone. These include arrows indicating left and right turns, as well as signs for one-way passages and exits.

Despite these visual aids, circling around a parking area for quite some time in search of a vacant slot can be both frustrating and annoying.

If you find yourself on a one-way aisle and see a slot being vacated near your location on the opposite side, you should still observe the direction indicated, even if going the other way will be faster for you; this reduces your risk of getting into an accident.

Never mind if another waiting driver is nearby and manages to reach the vacant slot before you do, because it just isn't worth getting into an argument or worse. 

There are directional arrows in parking facilities for a reason

7. Avoid engine idling

Many drivers have a habit of leaving their engines running even while parked, especially when they happen to be waiting for someone. This is because they tend to stay inside the car with the air conditioning running, which requires the engine turned on for the compressor to run.

>>> You may like to read:

• 4 rules to avoid car accidents when parking​
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Avoid doing this, especially in indoor parking facilities, since engine idling unnecessarily consumes fuel and also releases toxic fumes both outside and inside the car. One concrete example of this is a popular celebrity whose father and brother decided to wait for her at the parking lot of a nearby mall.

They slept inside the idling car with the air conditioner running, and they were found unconscious hours later due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The brother died instantly, while the father succumbed a year later after suffering paralysis and brain damage. 

8. Never reserve a parking slot

In most public parking spaces, there are parking slots that are designated for certain personnel, such as building managers or tenants. The rest then becomes free for whoever arrives first, so it's quite unfair to "reserve" a particular parking slot for someone else when another vehicle is already there and ready to occupy the slot.

Park Your Cars Properly with the Right Attitude

The only criteria that should take precedence in occupying a vacant slot are the actual presence of the car, not a person saving the slot on behalf of it. It's not enough to be a parking expert in terms of speed or skill. Proper courtesy should always be a part of parking etiquette for all motorists, not only to respect the car, but also the person behind the wheel. 

>>> Click to find out more car tips and advice on Philkotse.com