When parking on a hill, you turn your wheels strategically to ensure that if your parking brake fails, your vehicle rolls safely away from traffic, either into the curb or off the road. This simple safety measure is crucial for preventing runaway vehicles and potential accidents.
Understanding Hill Parking Safety
The primary goal of correctly positioning your wheels on a hill is to prevent your car from rolling into the street or an unsafe area if your parking brake malfunctions. By turning your front wheels, you direct the car's path towards a natural barrier (like a curb) or safely away from the roadway.
Key Principles for Wheel Positioning
The direction you turn your wheels depends on whether you are facing downhill or uphill, and whether a curb is present.
Parking Downhill
When parking downhill, the front of your car is pointing towards the bottom of the slope. To prevent it from rolling into traffic, you should:
- Turn your front wheels towards the curb. This means pointing them to the right (if on the right side of the road). If the parking brake fails, the front tire will gently hit the curb, stopping the vehicle.
- If there is no curb, turn your wheels to the right (towards the side of the road or shoulder). This directs the vehicle off the road rather than into oncoming traffic.
Remember: "Downhill, Turn Wheels Toward the Curb."
Parking Uphill (With a Curb)
When parking uphill with a curb, the front of your car is pointing towards the top of the slope. In this scenario, you want the car to roll away from the curb, so that the rear of the tire can catch on the curb.
- Turn your front wheels away from the curb. This means pointing them to the left (if on the right side of the road). If the parking brake fails, the vehicle will roll back slightly, and the rear of the front tire will rest against the curb, acting as a wedge to prevent further movement.
Remember: "Uphill, Turn Wheels Away from the Curb."
Parking Uphill (Without a Curb)
When parking uphill and there is no curb, your primary concern is to ensure the car rolls off the road if the parking brake fails, rather than into traffic.
- Turn your front wheels toward the side of the road. This means pointing them to the right (if on the right side of the road). In the event of parking brake failure, the rear of the car will roll off the road, moving away from traffic.
Remember: "Uphill, No Curb, Turn Wheels Right (Towards the Roadside)."
Quick Reference for Hill Parking
Here's a summary of the correct wheel positions for parking on hills:
| Scenario | Wheel Direction | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Downhill (with or without curb) | Towards the curb or side of the road | To roll away from traffic, into the curb/shoulder |
| Uphill (with a curb) | Away from the curb | To roll back and wedge against the curb |
| Uphill (without a curb) | Towards the side of the road | To roll off the road, away from traffic |
Additional Safety Tips for Hill Parking
Beyond turning your wheels, consider these best practices for enhanced safety:
- Engage the Parking Brake: Always apply your parking brake firmly after stopping. This is your primary safety mechanism.
- Select "Park" (Automatic) or First Gear/Reverse (Manual):
- For automatic transmissions, place the vehicle in Park (P).
- For manual transmissions, engage first gear when parked uphill and reverse gear when parked downhill. This adds another layer of resistance against rolling.
- Check Your Position: Before exiting the vehicle, ensure your wheels are properly turned and the vehicle feels secure.
- Avoid Parking on Steep Grades: If possible, choose flatter parking spots.
For more detailed information on safe driving practices, you can refer to resources like this DMV guide on parking on hills.
Why This Matters: Preventing Runaway Vehicles
Ignoring proper wheel positioning on a hill can have serious consequences. A runaway vehicle can cause:
- Damage to other parked cars or property.
- Injuries to pedestrians or cyclists.
- Serious traffic accidents.
By taking a few extra seconds to correctly position your wheels, you contribute significantly to road safety for yourself and others.
