• Parallel parking took the top spot for the hardest parking manoeuvre, with 42% of Brits saying it made them feel anxious
  • 44% of Brits require technology to assist them with parking
  • The average British driver takes 2.3 attempts to parallel park successfully

A recent study of UK motorists, conducted by automotive retailer Peter Vardy, found that nearly half of Brits depend on technology to assist them with parking.

The results also shed light on the true extent of motorists’ misery when it comes to parking manoeuvres, and the locations where drivers experience the most parking issues.

The survey found that parallel parking was the most common manoeuvre that respondents would avoid, as 42% of drivers stated it made them feel anxious.

The prevalence of parallel parking in city centres may directly correlate with the fact that 30% of respondents allege they experience the most parking problems whilst visiting metropolitan areas. However, the city centres are not the only places that are causing UK drivers to have parking panic, with supermarkets (23%) and shopping centres (17%) also being named as high stress points.

To further understand the stress that drivers experience when facing the dreaded parallel park, the team conducted a manual test. Monitoring parking attempts in a city centre location where parallel parking was prevalent, the team observed that it took 2.3 attempts on average to park successfully within the bay.

The research also revealed that 1 in 10 unlucky drivers even experience consistent parking problems outside their own home. Despite the advancements of parking technology, meaning that we now have more help than ever when it comes to parking manoeuvres, the findings of the study show that many drivers may be over relaying on their car’s modern features in order to fit in a space.

An estimated 12 million drivers currently active on UK roads can’t park without using the in-built parking sensors, with approximately a further 4.6 million drivers going one further and having to use parking cameras. More worryingly, an estimated 2.6 million drivers give away all responsibility and activate the park assist features on the car when they want to park.

More information can be found here: https://www.petervardy.com/parking-technology

For those who don’t want to relay on their cars to assist them with their parking, it is clear from the research that purchasing a large car will only add to the parking panic when trying to manoeuvre into cramped spaces in city centres, supermarkets and shopping centres.

A recent investigation by confused.com listed the below options for drivers looking for small and manoeuvrable motors;

  • Smart Fortwo
  • BMW i3
  • Mini One 3-Door Hatch
  • Ford B-Max
  • Skoda Yeti

However, for those who are looking to embrace the technological revolution in parking efficacy, carbuyer.com found that the below were ideal for handing over complete control to a self-parking feature;

  • Mercedes C-Class saloon
  • Vauxhall Astra hatchback
  • Peugeot 3008 SUV
  • Citroën C4 SpaceTourer MPV
  • Ford Fiesta hatchback
  • Jaguar XF saloon

Claire Rogan, Digital Marketing Manager at Peter Vardy, commented on the findings:
“Anyone who has successfully passed their driving test will remember the initial panic when first attempting to park a car into a tight space, however we were shocked to see how many British drivers carry this fear onwards into their driving lives.

“It is clear from the research that drivers found the most problems in cramped parking environments such as city centres, supermarkets and shopping centres, but it was heartening to see that drivers were taking their time to ensure they were positioned properly when parallel parking, even if it meant more than one attempt.

“Whilst it could be a worry that overall parking skills could be diminished over time due to an over reliance on parking technology, it is important that drivers choose a car which best supports them and their motoring skills. Whether that be a smaller car with better maneuverability or a vehicle with the most up to date parking technology assistance, drivers should ensure they utilise everything that’s on offer to ensure a safe and secure experience.”