Parallel parking formula created

A formula has been created to help drivers who struggle with parallel parking learn how to squeeze into tight spaces.

It's been developed by a maths professor, in collaboration with Vauxhall Motors, to alleviate the stress of what many people find an uncomfortable area of driving.

It may even go some way to reducing the number of car insurance claims resulting from bumps and scrapes obtained while trying to park.

Professor Blackburn, from the University of London's Royal Holloway College, created the equation comprising square roots, brackets and numbers. It aims to give drivers the best way to get into a space in one, smooth movement.

It follows a survey conducted by Vauxhall which found that 57% of drivers were not confident with parking. Nearly a third said they would rather park further from their destination or pay a higher price to avoid difficult spaces.

Professor Blackburn said: "Parking the car is something that most of us do on a daily basis - and we all get a little frustrated with it sometimes.

"This was the perfect opportunity to show how we can apply mathematics to understanding something that we all share."

Simon Ewart, from Vauxhall Motors, said: "There's no escaping the fact that parking can be challenging for the best of drivers."

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