When we talk about car accidents, we often just think of the ones that happen as we are driving on the road. We fail to remember the one place where many car accidents do occur: parking lots.
Accident Stats
According to Transline Industries distracted driving is very common in parking lots. Since most people are driving at slower speeds, they are more inclined to check a text, an email, GPS, or take a photo. They stated that “two thirds of drivers report driving distracted in parking lots”.
Since drivers are distracted, this leads to “hundreds of thousands” of accidents every year, from small to severe. They state that “one in five (20%) of vehicle accidents occur in parking lots.” And this number might be higher since not everyone reports these accidents. And, the probability of a parking lot collision increases with the holiday season, usually after Black Friday.
Even though we often drive slower while in parking lots, these accidents can still be fatal. Transline stated that “over 500 people die every year in parking lots and garages”. They also said that “about 9% of pedestrian deaths in parking lots result from backup accidents,” and “about 20% of child fatalities from traffic occurred in on-traffic areas, including parking lots.”
Safety Tips
DriversEd.com has some tips for staying safe while driving in a parking lot. Keep these in mind to prevent accidents, and protect drivers and pedestrians around you.
- Drive Slowly: A parking lot is for both cars and people. Also, vehicles are always moving in and out of spots. As you are driving through any parking lot, even if it seems empty, drive slowly.
- Use Your Blinkers: When you are turning, even in a parking lot, you should always use your blinkers. Your blinker tells the drivers around you which way you are going. This means that there won’t be a collision if you are trying to enter a parking spot, and other drivers think you are driving forward.
- Scan for Pedestrians: You should watch carefully of the pedestrians that are around you. Watch for people coming in and out of cars and crossing the road. Especially keep an eye out for children who might be concealed by a vehicle.
- Don’t Go the Wrong Way: Pay attention to the flow of traffic and where the arrows direct you.
- Back Out Slowly: When you are backing out of your parking spot, make sure to go slowly. Check behind you, not just through a mirror or camera, but you should turn your head to look as well.
- Put Down the Phone: Don’t check texts or GPS when navigating a parking lot. You might be looking down and miss a pedestrian. Put your phone away or park to check anything.
- Watch Out for Carts: In grocery store parking lots, there can be shopping carts left out. Check around you, so you don’t dent your vehicle on rogue carts.
- Be Careful Opening Doors: It is always important to open your doors carefully so that you don’t hit the cars next to you.
- Park at a Distance: If you want to avoid someone denting your vehicle, you can park at a distance.
Stay vigilant while in parking lots, and follow these steps to stay safe. We have an article here for more information about what to do after a car accident.
Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks
If you have been injured in a car accident, speaking with an experienced Utah car accident lawyer at Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks can help you understand your options and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (801) 500-4000 to schedule your free consultation.
