Written by Mark Taylor

Parking lot accidents are more common than you might think. More than 500 deaths and 60,000 injuries occur from over 50,000 parking lot accidents every year in the US, says an NSC report quoted by EHSToday.

Many types of accidents can occur in a parking lot, including theft, fender benders, and cars hitting other vehicles and pedestrians while backing out. Here are some tips for drivers and pedestrians on how to stay safe in a parking lot.

Stay Focused

One common reason for parking lot accidents is distracted driving. In fact, according a recent survey conducted among drivers nationwide by the US National Safety Council, around 66% respondents said they talk over phone, while 63% program their GPS systems, when driving through parking lots. This could be dangerous. Drivers and pedestrians should avoid all kinds of distractions and stay focused while driving or walking in a parking lot. Some other common types of distractions to avoid include sending and receiving emails, texting, taking snapshots or watching videos, and using social media while driving. 

Add Safety Features

One way to minimize the extent of damage from a car accident is by adding safety features to your car. Modern cars with advanced safety features not only help keep you safe in the event of a parking lot accident, but they also save you money on insurance.  Many of today’s newer cars have safety features that prevent collisions, so they could cost less to insure than older cars, according to a blog post by Oliver L.E. Soden Agency.

Choose a Safe Place to Park Your Car

Ideally, you should park your car in a well-lit area close to your destination point, so you can keep a watch on it from distance. Another good idea would be to park near the entrance or exit of a parking lot. That way, it would be easier to find your car when you return. To reduce the risk of theft and damage, consider avoiding dark areas. Parking your car between two tall vehicles, such as vans or trucks is also a bad idea, as it gives potential burglars a safe place to hide.

Secure Your Car

Before you head to your destination, check if you’ve locked the doors and rolled up the car windows. Also, make sure that you aren’t keeping any valuables in plain sight, suggests a blog post on Consumer Reports. If you have to leave some expensive items in the car, make sure you conceal them under a cover.

Leverage Modern Technology

Nearly 9% of the deaths from parking lot accidents happen as a result of cars backing up and hitting pedestrians, says a new report NSC. One way to avoid this is by installing a rear view camera in your car. That way, you can get a clear view of the back of your car from your driving seat. However, don’t depend on technology alone. Make sure you also check out the surroundings and look at the car mirrors when backing up.

Keep Keys Handy

When returning to your car in the parking lot, make sure you have the keys out in your hand. You don’t want to spend time looking for the keys in your purse or pockets. Avoid talking to strangers. As soon as you return, get inside the car and lock all the doors immediately. Also, drive away as soon as possible without wasting time on checking your mobile phones or GPS.

Finally, while your drive into or away from a parking lot, keep the speed low and drive cautiously. Watch out for oncoming cars, low-laying objects and pedestrians.