What precautions must a driver take before leaving a vehicle parked on a grade?

When parking a vehicle on a grade, it's crucial to turn the front wheels in a way that prevents the vehicle from rolling off the road. By turning the front wheels toward the curb or the roadside, you create a safeguard that helps to keep the vehicle from rolling into traffic in the event that the parking brake fails or the vehicle slips out of gear.

The rationale behind this practice is rooted in vehicle safety. If a parked vehicle were to roll, especially down a hill, it could cause significant hazards to other road users or pedestrians. This proactive measure is part of responsible driving habits that ensure not only your safety but also the safety of others around you.

Other options, such as leaving the vehicle in neutral or ensuring the handbrake is released, would actually increase the risk of unintended movement. Ensuring that the handbrake is engaged and the vehicle is in gear (or in "park" for automatic transmissions) is important, but these actions do not address the critical measure of controlling the direction of the vehicle's potential roll when parked on a slope.