Mmmkay show of hands:
Do you have trouble parallel parking on your first attempt?
Do you search in a vain attempt for on-street parking that is wide enough to enter front-in?
Have you turned down social invitations from losers friends who do not have curbside parking?
Did you fail your first driver’s test after you sent an orange pylon airborne? (Or worse, hit a parked car?)
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you may have PARKOPHOBIA.
Seriously.
“The fear of parallel parking – or “parkophobia” as it has been dubbed – has been found to rank alongside job interviews and meeting the in-laws as one of life’s most stressful moments.
Almost a third of motorists said they needed more than one attempt at the manoeuvre, with the figure rising to 41 percent for women, according to a poll of drivers by Ford.
One in 10 women said guiding their car into a tight spot was more stressful than visiting the dentist or a key job interview.” – IOL Motoring
There IS a cure. And it goes by the name Active Park Assist, by Ford.
While I don’t suffer from parkophobia, I must admit… this would make my life MUCH easier. Lucky attendees at the ShesConnected Conference in Toronto were able to demo Active Park Assist for themselves, and I daresay that yes, this is a life enhancing (changing?) feature.
I think this is one of the neatest features. Ever. I sometimes avoid parallel parking if I feel that the spot is too tight or if there is a lot of traffic. But living in Toronto often leaves me without a choice. Wish I had this feature on my minivan.
Same, I love it. Wish it was on all cars!
Cool!
I tried this feature out during the conference, and I could not stop raving about it to my family…It was seriously amazing – from the beeping to indicate a spot with enough space for your car, to the truly hands-free parking – it was so funny when the driving demonstrater just lifted her hands off the steering wheel and let the car do all the work
Plus, I love that it’s offered on “bigger” cars – the only reason I don’t have parkophobia is because I drive a Mini, LOL!
I loved that experience at #SCCTO! I can hardly park in general – parallel parking is not an option for me! But with a Ford, I could totally fake a perfect parallel parking job :)
“I can hardly park in general” – LMAO! I was literally rolling on the floor when I read that, ha! xo
Coolest feature ever!! I want this!
That is way cool. I had no idea Ford vehicles offered this. Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome Jen!
I don’t have parkophobia…..yet. Tomorrow we pick up our first minivan! Onward into the realm of serious parenting, but I actually stressed about how I’ll be able to parallel park in it. Great feature to have on a vehicle!
Joy
http://www.PardonMyPoppet.com
Pip Squeaks from the Mummy-verse!
Congrats on the minivan! And much luck to you with parallel parking… you’ll have to let us know how it goes!
I can, but I’m not great at it.
Ohhhhh. I want!! That is so cool! :)
Isn’t it? :)
I recently got a Ford Focus Titanium. This is an amazing feature!!! Seriously, I used to make anyone and everyone park for me – like actually jump out of the driver’s seat and say, “no you do it” lol. Best. Feature. Ever.
Oooohhh… satisfied customer, I love that. And yes, even I admit to handing my husband the wheel when parking our SUV :) Though it’s not technically parkophobia, I just don’t want anyone laughing at me :)
that really is amazing!
Did you demo it at the conference, Jen?
This is a great feature Lena – what will they think of next??
LOL, they don’t need to think about anything next – just put this on EVERY car!
I officially did a crap job of parallel parking my SUV last night. Seriously, it was shambles. I think it took me four attempts to get it about 4 feet from the curb, whereby I abandoned my attempt and found a nice, long stretch of free land (about 50 additional metres from my destination). #parkingfail