Parking Lot Safety: Holiday Edition

Exercising proper road safety is essential to avoid the dangers of a collision with other cars or pedestrians. Unfortunately, it's easy to overlook the importance of parking lot safety, especially with the busy holiday shopping season approaching. Carelessness and a false sense of security, when walking or driving in a parking lot, leads to tens of thousands of accidents each year. Many minor accidents in parking lots go unreported, so the figures are more conservative than the harsh reality of the dangers shoppers could face this year.

Distraction Statistics

Drivers often wait to make phone calls until they feel safe in a parking lot, with most occurring before their vehicles are safely parked. More than 55% of the individuals polled by the National Safety Council admit that they are likely to text while driving in a parking lot. Other interesting figures from the poll indicate that:

• 66% would make a phone call

• 52% would use social media

• 50% would check or send an email

Many adults admit that they are likely to program their GPS or take photos while driving in a parking lot. Teens are more likely than adults to start grooming while behind the wheel, but they aren't as likely to make a call.

Alertness Is Essential

Drivers and pedestrians alike must pay attention to their surroundings at all times in parking lots, especially during the holidays. Driving at a moderate speed and observing crosswalks is helpful.

However, The Soileau Law Firm encourages using our additional safety tips to help decrease your chances of being in an accident this year:

Drivers:

• Never cut across parking lots by staying within designated lanes

• Use turn signals, always be ready to yield, and obey every stop sign

• Back out of spaces slowly and watch for pedestrians in blind spots

• Always stop at crosswalks

• Stay alert for small children

Pedestrians:

• Hesitate before entering a crosswalk

• Stay close to children that may be difficult for drivers to spot

• Pay attention to the actions of any nearby drivers that may be distracted

You Need A Hardworking Pasadena Auto Accident Attorney On Your Side

If you or a loved one has been injured this winter due to another’s negligence in a parking lot accident, our team here at The Soileau Law Firm can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. For countless years we have been helping individuals injured due to no fault of their own recover compensation to make them whole once again.