What is SCALP and why do I need to know it?
The Safe Convenient And Legal Position (SCALP) routine is used when you intend to stop at the side of the road, it is important to show consideration to other road users for both their safety and yours.
Safe
Avoid stopping too close to:
- The brow of a hill
- A bend
- A junction, this should be a minimum of 10 metres. By not doing this not only are you blocking the junction but you can potentially become a dangerous hazard.
Convenient
Consider how you and your passengers will exit the vehicle and try to avoid parking close to:
- puddles
- wet grass
- mud
- bollards
- lamp posts
- etc.
Consider other road users and try to avoid:
- blocking driveways
- double parking (opposite a car parked on the other side of the road as you may cause congestion or block large vehicles such as Dustcarts or Fire Engines)
And
Legal
Make sure you are stopping in a legal place, avoid stopping:
- within 10 metres of a junction (this includes on the opposite side of the road)
- next to a bus stop
- in a cycle lane
- single yellow/red lines – check times
- double yellow/red lines
- zig zag lines
- loading areas
- etc.
Position
- Park the vehicle close to the kerb and parallel to it.
- Your wheels should be straight unless on a hill where you should turn them slightly so that your car would roll into the kerb if your handbrake failed.