Editorial: Help us out of a tight spot

When I read the mayor of the German town of Triberg was introducing "easy" parking spots for women that were wider and better lit I had a little giggle. But then I thought that he may have a point.

I confess I'm hopeless when it comes to parallel parking. In fact, I'd be prepared to park my car further away from my intended destination - even a few kilometres - if it meant avoiding parallel parking.

I can't remember being taught how to parallel park and I think out of desperation been considerably nervous when I try it. My nearest and dearest can attest to this. Since a crash at a rather notorious Rotorua intersection (not my fault) several years ago I've been cautious at intersections.

But parallel parking creates more fear in me than intersections, that fear of hitting either the stationary car in front or more likely the car behind. I'm glad I don't live in Wellington or Auckland where parallel parking skills are probably essential. My husband is generally driving when we head to those cities and he is good at parking a bus in a tight spot let alone a car, a point he often reminds me of.

When it comes to parking Rotorua residents spoken to seem to rate themselves quite highly, anywhere from 7 to 9 out of 10.

However, and I'm no saint when it comes to parking, I've seen some shocking parking in this city. Dare I say it, I only have to wander out the back to our office car park to find some examples. There have been a number of times I've gone to hop in a company car and had to suck in my body to make entry into the vehicle possible due to the car in the neighbouring park being on the lines. That scenario has been the subject of several emails within The Daily Post office but still people insist on parking on the line rather than within the lines.

Whatever you think of dear old Mayor Gallus Strobel, from the Black Forest town of Triberg, at least he's got us talking and thinking about the way we park.