Take special interest in proper car parking

Many drivers that park facing away from the road find it difficult when it is time to drive out of the parking. Photos by Abubaker Lubowa.

What you need to know:

  • However, while parking on the street it is more sufficient and easier to park in the reverse mode as it allows you much space to maneuver when you want to drive out.
  • Parking on the street such as on part of Kampala Road, offers a driver very little space to maneuver, which according to Solomon Twijukye, a parking guide in downtown Kampala, will require a driver to drive a little ahead before they reverse to negotiate into the parking space.

Perhaps you have noticed it. Many people care less when they are parking, especially at the roadside or streets.
Ever tried to figure out why people put less effort in parking properly? It is a problem with many motorists in Uganda and a creeping one at that, especially on the street.

This, in most cases causes a lot of problems for other motorists as they have to maneuver and squeeze into a space partly occupied by a wrongly parked car.
In such cases it is highly possible that the first car to park at a particular spot will largely determine how subsequent cars park.

If the first car parks in a reckless manner, subsequent ones will just follow the routine and it is likely to turn out messy.
The first principle of car parking is ensuring safety for both your car and other people’s.
However, a true professional driver will ensure that they park in a manner that allows them to safely and easily drive out of the parking lot.

Many drivers find it is difficult to park in the reverse mode but experience shows it the safest and easiest compared to the drive mode.
It may strain a driver but it allows you to safely drive out without much stress.

In fact, in some parking lots, such as those that host large trucks, it is mandatory that you park in the reverse mode looking into the most accessible route.
Reverse parking is especially easier in parking lots that have large parking spaces and those that are off the road.

However, while parking on the street it is more sufficient and easier to park in the reverse mode as it allows you much space to maneuver when you want to drive out.

Parking on the street such as on part of Kampala Road, offers a driver very little space to maneuver, which according to Solomon Twijukye, a parking guide in downtown Kampala, will require a driver to drive a little ahead before they reverse to negotiate into the parking space.

“It is so easy to park in the reverse mode. It gives enough space where there is less to maneuver. Otherwise many who try to just drive into a little parking space will always struggle to get in,” he says.
Reverse parking is also ideal if the space is between two cars parked ahead of each other.
Parking spaces that face away from the road are hard to park in because in most cases, they present limited options for the driver.

Many drivers choose the best option to park facing away from the road.
However, this presents serious risks because as a driver you will have to reverse into the road.
“Sometimes you be forced to be on the outlook for oncoming traffic, which sometimes might be out of your sight,” says Twijukye.

Car parking is a technique on its own that is a requirement for any learning driver.
Therefore, you must always take particular interest to do it safely and in a convenient manner that will allow others to use available space.

Street parking can be risky and comes with a implication

In Uganda, especially in Kampala most car owners park on the street while a few park in gazetted spaces, including paid-up parking lots and underground parking spaces in building.
Street parking, which is managed by Multiplex, is the most available option with gazzeted spaces on a number of streets in central Kampala.

Parking charges for the first hour were recently increased from Shs400 to Shs1,000
There has been attempts to automate with the first attempt coming in as early as 2007.
Pay and display parking automation machines were erected on a number of streets but few motorists use them which has rendered some dysfunctional.
However, this has not dampened the need to automate street parking as MTN recently partnered with Multiplex to introduce a payment option for parking fees via the MTN Mobile Money platform.
The payment platform allows drivers to make payments for outstanding dues from their phones.

Street parking was introduced by defunct Kampala City Council in the late 90s. Previously street parking had not been a revenue stream.
However, with the need to decongest Kampala and create new revenue streams, street parking came into play and has stayed ever since.
Green Boat, which pioneered the street parking initiative was later succeed by Mutiplex.

When you choose to park on the street
Lock your car
Always ensure that you lock your car properly and if the locks are dysfunctional, do not move far away out of its sight.
Thieves are always on the outlook and you never know when they will strike to take ransack your car.
Remove all valuables
Many people get tempted to live their valuables in the car.
However, this presents you will a number of risks key among them will be a break into you car.
Such break ins come with a number of damages that include loss of property and damage to the car itself.
Park safely
Avoid being surprised with a scratch or a knock because you parked badly.
Park a safe distance away from the road and always ensure that you avoid parking spaces that are crowded.