Parallel parking is a difficult skill to master. I know several people who are on their Ps, but will still avoid parallel parking wherever possible, because they still find it stressful and tricky. Even for experienced drivers, it can take multiple tries, and that may well mean holding up traffic and just feeling everyone else’s impatience radiating towards you. A key part of the frustration is that gauging distances with a rear view mirror is imprecise, and frequently leads to underestimates – or worse, overestimates that can result in collisions and dents. The solution is the rear vision camera.
Also known as a reversing camera, this device allows you to see what’s behind you almost directly. The camera gives a much better perspective than a mirror does, and also works at night, making it easier to park after dark. The camera is connected to a monitor that displays the space behind your vehicle, including a clear distance scale so that you don’t have to guess how far away you are from the car behind you. This takes a lot of the pressure off reversing and means that you aren’t constantly worrying that you’re about to hit something. It also has a generally wider scope, meaning that you can judge how far away you are from the kerb much more easily.
The reversing camera kit is essentially the next step up from a mirror. It’s being integrated in more and more new cars, but it can also be easily added to older cars. It’s simple to use, and far more intuitive than a mirror, making it excellent for drivers both young and old. It also can be attached to trailers and larger vehicles, which makes it particularly useful, as ordinary mirrors just won’t cut it in those sorts of circumstances. Overall, it makes driving and reversing safer and less stressful.
