Parking Lot Safety Tips
With careless drivers whipping around corners, pedestrians walking through the middle of the street and children emerging from behind shrubs, it is no wonder that so many accidents and injuries occur in parking lots. In fact, countless people dread a simple trip to the mall due to parking lot encounters. Fortunately, there are certain precautions you can take to avoid parking lot catastrophes. Following are some basic safety tips for pedestrians walking through parking lots.
Be Aware of your Surroundings
Take note of where you park your car. If the parking lot is excessively large or difficult to navigate, you may even wish to write down the exact location of your car. Furthermore, although pedestrians have the right of way, it is still your responsibility to examine the parking lot carefully. From a youthful age, most people were taught to look both ways before crossing the street. This rule is certainly still applicable as an adult. If you see a car driving completely recklessly and irresponsibly, write down the license plate number and report it to the police.
Wear Suitable Clothing
Depending on the time of day, certain clothing can make you more or less visible to drivers. As a pedestrian, it is your goal to be as visible as possible to motorists. If you are out at night or parking your car in a dark parking garage, do not wear black. Wearing black makes you rather difficult for drivers to spot. Instead, opt to wear lighter colors for better visibility.
Take Safety Precautions
Unfortunately, parking lots can become a prime area for attackers and abductors. To avoid such a situation from arising, take precautions to protect your safety. First of all, if you are alone, avoid parking lots after nightfall. If utilizing the parking lot is absolutely unavoidable at night, park in the best lit area you can find. If at all possible, park your car in close proximity to the building. Secondly, exudeconfidenceas you walk through a parking lot. Those who meander aimlessly are more susceptible to muggers and attackers. If you notice someone suspicious lurking in the parking lot, head directly back to the building and call the police. Lastly, always have your car keys in your hands as you head out to your car. This way, you can avoid wasting time fumbling through your purse or pocket for your car keys. Also, keys can be used as a weapon to slash the face of an attacker.
