From the week preceding Thanksgiving to the weeks leading up to Christmas, consumers tend to be busy. Even though online shopping has become increasingly popular, the stores are packed.
So, too, are the parking lots and parking garages around virtually every shopping center. It’s probably no surprise to many that there’s a 25% to 34% increase in motor vehicle accidents between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through Black Friday, but it might surprise you to learn that 31% of those accidents occur while a driver is trying to park or back up.
What can you do to stay safer?
The entire holiday season can make parking lots and garages hazardous to your health – whether you’re in your vehicle or walking with packages back from the store. Here are some important safety tips:
- Pick a parking spot away from high-traffic areas: If you can walk from the back of the lot to the store without a problem, it’s probably safer than trying to vie for one of the coveted parking spots closer to the door. Traffic in the back of the lot tends to be less congested, so there’s less danger that you’ll get into a wreck or get hit by someone pulling out of a parking spot without looking.
- Slow down when you’re behind the wheel: Everybody is distracted at this time of year, including pedestrians who are checking their phones or trying to handle a lot of shopping bags at once. Assume that nobody has their focus firmly on the traffic and go slower than normal.
- Double-check your blind spots: Don’t rely on your in-vehicle technology and backup cameras to protect you from accidents. When you’re backing out of a spot, double-check your blind spots and make sure that you don’t see any other vehicles or pedestrians in your way.
A certain number of accidents are going to happen this season, despite everyone’s best efforts. If you’re involved in one, don’t panic. Get medical help right away, call 911 and make sure that you get the other driver’s information. If you need to file a claim for damages, legal guidance can make the process easier.