SIR: I recently saw the outcome of a parked vehicle rolling away down hill causing damage to the vehicle and someone else's property. This is not the first time I have witnessed it in Hampshire and note as I walk around that almost nobody down here parks properly on hills. I presume it is because Hampshire is relatively flat the people are not taught to park on hills. Certainly my children, who grew up in Hampshire, were not taught by their instructor. I grew up in a hilly park of the country so was taught when I started driving.

So here is a simple guide to parking on hills for the people of Hampshire. It might just save you some pain, money and embarrassment. If you are facing up hill turn the steering so that the back of the front wheel is against the curb and leave it in first gear if a manual transmission and park if automatic. If you are facing down hill turn the steering so the front of the front wheel is against the kerb and leave it in reverse gear if a manual transmission and park if an automatic. Several designs of handbrakes release slightly as the brakes cool so give the lever an extra tug if parking on a hill.

Dave Wright,

Appledown Close,

Alresford