How to Drive in a Parking Lot

More than 500 people are killed and 60,000 injured in parking-lot crashes every year. To try and minimize the injuries of you and others, follow these five steps.

1. Slow down

Easing up on your gas pedal is a great way to improve parking-lot safety. It’s a good idea to drive no faster than 5 to 10 mph.

2. Follow the rules

Keep your eyes open and follow traffic signs and pavement markings just as you would on a street. Even more important, follow lanes of traffic where possible and don’t cut diagonally across lots. If you maintain predictable driving patterns, you’re much less likely to hit a pedestrian or another driver.

3. Minimize distractions

It should go without saying: Using your cellphone while driving (or walking!) in a parking lot is an extremely bad idea. Your focus needs to be on your surroundings and not on texts, calls, or any other distractions. Even if you think you can multitask, it only takes a split-second for things to go very wrong.

4. Stay alert when backing out

Nearly 300 deaths and 18,000 injuries are caused each year by drivers who are backing out of driveways and parking lots. If you’re backing up, stay alert for pedestrians and other drivers. If your car is equipped with a backup camera or a rear cross-traffic alert system, take advantage of those tools.

5. Be patient!

This is the most important step! The more calm and patience you can muster, the less likely you are to cause a collision or hit a pedestrian.

If you have any further questions please don’t be afraid to contact A-1 Driving Schools!