Pros Of Staying Safe As A Pedestrian

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When you think about parking lots, you may not think about potential hazards. However, a significant number of insurance claims filed annually relate to incidents that occurred in parking lots, and between 1993 and 2003, company parking lots were the site of more than 2,000 work-related deaths. Parking lots can become even more hazardous when they are busy, such as during the holiday shopping season, or when it is raining. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself in parking lots.

Staying Safe as a Pedestrian
Consider a parking lot the same way that you consider intersections and streets. Use the same caution you would exercise if you needed to cross a busy street, but include a few additional safety measures.

• Never walk behind a …show more content…

• Keep your eyes moving. Watch for tripping hazards such as potholes, scan the cars parked on either side and keep an eye out for cars turning into the traffic aisle.

Staying Safe as a Driver
A parking lot mishap can ruin your day, and if someone is seriously injured, the repercussions can last a lot longer.

• Slow down. Most parking lots have speed limits of 10 mph, but remember that a speed limit is the maximum your vehicle should be traveling. If the lot is congested or the pavement is wet, you may need to reduce your speed until it is well below the posted limit.
• Be very careful when you are backing up. Watch for pedestrians walking behind your vehicle and nearby cars that might be parking next to you.
• Obey all traffic signs and pavement markings. For example, if painted arrows are used to denote the direction of travel, treat it like a one-way street and do not drive the wrong way down the aisle.
• Watch out for drivers who are not following the rules. Some drivers cut across empty parking spaces to go from one aisle to another. A driver might sail through a stop sign or make a left turn in front of you without signaling.

Happy Holidays from MH Greeson

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