Parking Lot Precautions

If we’re already distracted in our busy lives, over the holidays, it ratchets up a notch. Where this can be especially problematic is the parking lot.

There’s a bigger concentration of cars coming and going, backing in and backing out, and pedestrians, walkers and strollers. It has all the makings of a potential accident. 

In fact, there are more than 50,000 crashes in parking lots and garages each year, with 500 deaths and more than 60,000 injuries. And, not surprisingly, claims spike on Black Friday and remain high during the holiday season. 

Not only do parking lots carry risk for accidents, but also crime. Here are some precautions you can take to help ensure neither happens to you:

Walk smart. When you leave your car, put your smartphone away. Many pedestrian injuries are caused by heads down and not looking around. You need to not only watch for cars backing up that may not see you, but also pavement cracks, potholes or ice.

Keys to safety. Have your keys in your hand as you leave the store so you can get in quickly. Check the back seat and under the car before getting in.

See the light. Park in a well-lit area to deter burglars. If you can find a spot near a security camera, that would be even better. 

Stash and store. Nothing should be visible inside the car—all packages should be stored in the trunk. Put electronic devices such as a GPS out of view, and ensure all doors are locked and windows closed.

Slow down your backups. Many cars today come with backup cameras, which can be a tremendous help in spotting pedestrians or cars behind you. Still, they don’t always capture everything, so it’s best to also look around when you back up, move very slowly and use your turn signal.

Parking perfection. It’s also a good practice to park well within the lines of your spot, to avoid dings, dents or scratches from neighboring cars.

Contact us for all of your insurance needs! 

Illinois and Wisconsin residents, at R Hobbs Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (847) 680-0888 or send us a note at [email protected]. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Photo by Asael Peña on Unsplash

Content source: Kemper