Parallel parking a no-go for Irish motorists 

Finding a parking space can be a headache but like it or loathe it, Irish motorists get plenty of practise at parking on a daily basis. Motoring solutions specialist easytrip

, conducted research on drivers parking behaviour and preferences and found that 74% of Irish drivers preferred reversing or driving forward into a perpendicular parking space over parallel parking, with 45% of those surveyed* admitting to driving past an available parking space to avoid parallel parking.

 
Interestingly, 50% of those who prefer parallel parking drive a large hatchback or saloon sized vehicle. The survey however found that in general Irish drivers are quietly confident in their driving abilities with 86% of those surveyed stating to be ‘very good’ or ‘good’ at parking.
 
Preferred parking locations
When asked about their preferred parking location, almost half of those surveyed said they would prefer to take an on-street parking space with multi-storey car parks following closely behind at 41% with 90% of those stating convenience and fear of running out of change for meters as the reasons for their preference. A low 15% preferred on-street ground level car parks while only 4% choose underground car parks.
 
Time of day
The time of day a driver is most likely to use public parking is as follows:
·        60% – Between 7am-5pm
·        40% – After 5pm in the evening
Of those that choose to park in a public space after 5pm, over a third of respondents cited cost saving as the reason for doing so highlighting that it is cheaper in the evening time. In addition to this, 56% said they would prefer to pay for parking by the minute as opposed to by the hour.
 
Annoying habits
The easytrip survey also uncovered the types of parking habits of other drivers that prove to annoy the most:
·        70% – Taking up two parking spaces
·        48% – Parking too close to your car
·        33% – Double parking
·        26% – Taking forever to park the car
·        26% – Parking in a disabled parking space (when not entitled to do so)
·        7% – Parking in a designated mother and baby space (without children present)
National Driving Test
In comparison to the United Kingdom Driving Test, there is currently no testing element for parallel parking in the National Driving Test in Ireland. An overwhelming 93% of respondents agreed that the practical part of the National Driving Test should include assessment on parallel parking.
 
“As our survey reveals, something as simple as parking, an activity that we all do every day, can be problematic for a high number of drivers,” says Ciara O’Brien, Head of Operations, easytrip. “At easytrip, our mission is to make life easier for motorists and we would advise where possible to use a car park premises where you and your vehicle are guaranteed to be safe and secure.  No matter where you park always remember to be mindful of others when selecting a parking space and when making a parking manoeuvre, be it perpendicular or parallel.”
 
Easytrip offers hassle free electronic car parking through the use of their tag in 24 car parks nationwide. The easytrip tag is scanned on entry and exit to the car park, with no need to take a ticket or queue at the paying station, and the fee is then automatically deducted from the tag holder’s account. For more details visit www.easytrip.ie .

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