You are driving towards a busy town centre where you know there is a hospital with an emergency department on the main road. You need to stop for about 20 minutes to visit a nearby shop. How should you plan your parking to avoid obstructing emergency vehicles, while following Rule 239 of the Highway Code?

Explanation

Rule 239 of the Highway Code advises drivers to use off-street parking areas or marked parking bays wherever possible, rather than stopping on the roadside. Near places such as hospitals, where emergency vehicles must have clear and immediate access, stopping on the roadside outside the entrance can create dangerous obstruction and delay. Choosing an off-street car park or a properly marked bay, even if it is less convenient, helps keep routes clear for ambulances and other emergency vehicles while complying with the Highway Code.