Going slowly when parallel parking is essential for maintaining precise steering geometry and ensuring safety in high-stress urban environments. Slow movement allows you to control the vehicle's speed using only the "clutch bite" or "brake creep," giving you more time to align your car's middle pillar with the rear of the parked vehicle. Speed increases the risk of "oversteering," which can lead to curb strikes or "tapping" the cars in front or behind you. In 2026, even with advanced parking sensors and AI-assisted cameras, a slow pace is recommended to allow the sensors to provide accurate, real-time proximity alerts and to ensure you can stop instantly if a pedestrian or cyclist enters your blind spot.