When you park uphill next to a curb, which wheel position should you use?

When you park uphill next to a curb, which wheel position should you use?

• A. away from the curb
• B. toward the curb
• C. parallel to the curb
• D. facing into traffic

Answer: (A)

When you park uphill next to a curb, position the front wheels so the vehicle is less likely to roll into traffic if the brakes fail. Turning the wheels away from the curb makes the curb act as a barrier that can stop the car if it starts to roll backward, helping it stay toward the edge of the road instead of moving into the travel lane. This is safer because it reduces the chance of the car drifting into traffic. Turning toward the curb wouldn’t provide that blocking effect and could allow the car to roll into traffic. Parking parallel to the curb doesn’t engage the curb to stop movement, and facing into traffic points the wheels the wrong way for preventing a rollback.

When you park uphill next to a curb, position the front wheels so the vehicle is less likely to roll into traffic if the brakes fail. Turning the wheels away from the curb makes the curb act as a barrier that can stop the car if it starts to roll backward, helping it stay toward the edge of the road instead of moving into the travel lane. This is safer because it reduces the chance of the car drifting into traffic.

Turning toward the curb wouldn’t provide that blocking effect and could allow the car to roll into traffic. Parking parallel to the curb doesn’t engage the curb to stop movement, and facing into traffic points the wheels the wrong way for preventing a rollback.