How to parallel park

I was going to write about speed limits this morning.  More specifically, I was going to rant a little about people who drive under the speed limit.  I'll save that for another time.

On my way home from dropping my husband off at work, I passed (luckily there was no oncoming traffic) the most amazing parking job.  So I just have to return to my previous comments on parking.

Let's talk about parallel parking.  Please see figure A to the right.  The vehicle is parked by the sidewalk, ideally 6-8" from the curb.  There is room to move around the vehicle.  The vehicle is not blocking traffic, nor is it on the sidewalk.

Now, please understand, I get that parallel parking is a difficult art to perfect.  I'm not here to criticize you if you're on a tiny bit of an angle or if you're not perfectly 6-8" from the curb.  You do get points for trying.  But the thing is, you actually have to try.

Please see figure B to the left. 

THAT DOESN'T COUNT AS TRYING!  Neither does it count as parallel parking.  That counts as being a jerk.  The only time you get to park like that is if you are a police officer and you are blocking road access on purpose for the safety of all involved.

As a side note, the street where this had occurred was not quite as tidy as the street in the diagram.  It was a little more narrow, a mere 3 car widths.  Just wide enough for one car driving in either direction, with room for parking on one side of the street only.  So I had to pass fully onto the left side of the street to get around Jerkcar.

Parking ticket?  Of course not.