by Paul Morrow

Created on: December 17, 2008   Last Updated: April 26, 2009

Currently being a driver's Ed. instructor, I can tell you that few things scare students more than the words "Parallel Parking". Though I'm not entirely sure why it's become such a taboo among new drivers, one could speculate that it stems from previous generations of drivers. It is as though parallel parking is some kind of "Right of Passage" that is bestowed on each new generation of anxious and fear stricken driving students. You should see my students eyes widen and muscles tense when I casually suggest parallel parking in my overview of the curriculum. You can just see them recalling horrific stories of uncles, aunts, moms, and dads that struggled so much, having near misses, fender benders, and anxiety attacks; all while under the scrutiny of tyrannical driving instructors. The pressure for them to succeed is immense. What if they hit something? What if the person behind them honks, what if they forget the procedures? They have so many concerns, and all over such an easy task. This is why I teach them to parallel park on the first lesson without them realizing what they are learning

Perhaps it is a little devious to not tell them what they are doing, but I believe the end result warrants the lack of disclosure. Before I teach them to parallel park, I start off with a drill I've come to call the Erin drill, named aptly after my first student and at her request.

The Erin Drill is one that uses two objects lined up in an open parking lot. One could use light poles, however I would suggest oval shaped curbed planters which are found as partitions in large parking lots. The main point being, have two objects in which you can drive a figure 8 around. First I have the students pull up parallel to the curb and park (in my drill the curb outside the driver's side). I show them that the steering wheel has three positions, all left (positive left), straight (center), and all right (positive right). I then ask them if they have ever seen an old movie in which a ship is about to hit an iceberg. The captain will yell to the helmsman,"hard to port" or "hard to starboard" and the wheel is then spun quickly. I tell my students that they will do the same with the steering wheel.

Their eyes widen and fear flashes on their faces as I tell them they are about to drive a figure 8 backwards around the planters. Once the shock wears off, I have them put the car in reverse. As we approach the gap between the planters I say "left, left, left" so they turn the wheel quickly. As they

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