What must a driver remember to do when leaving a parallel parking spot?

When leaving a parallel parking spot, using hand and turn signals is crucial for communicating your intentions to other drivers and pedestrians. This action not only enhances safety by alerting those around you that you are about to merge into traffic or move sideways, but it is also required by law in many jurisdictions. Signaling helps to prevent accidents by ensuring that other vehicles are aware of your movements as you pull out of the parking space, especially in urban settings where visibility can be compromised.

While checking mirrors and looking over your shoulder are also important parts of safely maneuvering out of a parking spot, they do not substitute for signaling. Signaling indicates your next move, while looking around helps you assess the immediate environment. Waiting for a traffic light is generally not applicable in this scenario since leaving a parking spot typically occurs in a continuous flow of traffic rather than at an intersection controlled by lights.