One of the most common places for car crashes is parking lots, as motorists are distracted by things other than the road ahead of them and do not pay attention to all the nearby dangers such as trolleys, pedestrians, or pillars.
Data from the USA’s National Safety Council indicates there are over 50,000 accidents in parking lots each year, accounting for approximately 20% of all car crashes.
What may be even more surprising than those statistics is that there are as many as 500 deaths due to parking lot collisions yearly.
“While South Africa’s stats are limited, it is safe to assume that parking lots here are just as ideal locations for collisions with other vehicles, people, and stationary objects,” said Eugene Herbert, CEO of advanced driver training company MasterDrive.
“Unfortunately, drivers in parking lots do not give the same respect to road signs and markings that they do on other roads. Additionally, distraction amongst both drivers and pedestrians is more prevalent.”
Herbert highlights that drivers also start to let their guard down when they reach their destination, combining to create the perfect conditions for accidents.
The following graph, compiled by MasterDrive, details what drivers involved in a parking lot collision said they were doing:
Keep your wits about you
The experts over at MasterDrive advise motorists to pay attention to their surroundings and road markings in parking lots and not become fixated on other things.
“As unnecessary as you may think it is, do not ignore any road markings or signs in a parking lot. All normal road laws apply as well, such as driving in the left-hand lane and obeying one-way lanes,” said Herbert.
Additionally, it’s imperative to keep a slow and steady pace and to pay attention not only to the vehicles around you, but also to people walking to their cars and things like pillars and curbs.
Even if the lot seems empty, it is the perfect place for pedestrians to suddenly walk into your lane or a car to unexpectedly reverse out. With limited space for evasive manoeuvres, driving slowly will be your best tactic to avoid a crash.
Picking a parking spot is equally important.
The perfect parking spot is not the one closest to the entrance, it is the one safest to exit later, hence, a parking spot where drivers can drive straight through is the best.
“Be sure there is nothing dividing the spots. If you cannot find a pull-through, reverse into your parking spot,” said Herbert.
“This provides the best visibility when leaving. Ideally, select a spot against a wall in a well-lit area.”
Do not solely depend on rearview cameras and parking sensors to reverse into or out of a parking spot. It is an aid when reversing, not a replacement for mirrors or checking over your shoulders.
Finally, before getting into your vehicle, take a quick look around it for smaller obstacles not visible once you climb inside.
“Never neglect to follow these tips when driving in a parking lot to avoid costly and even potentially tragic mishaps,” concluded Herbert.
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