If you head to the stores this Christmas, there’s a chance you will need to cross the parking lot to get from your car to the store. The combination of darkness falling early and huge amounts of people doing their last-minute shopping can make this a dangerous affair.
The following tips can help you and your family stay safe:
Hold on to your young children
Many of the drivers in parking lots will be distracted or frustrated. They may have so many things still to buy and so little time to get everything done that they let their attention on their driving lapse. Have your children wait in the car until you come around and open the door for them. That way you can hold their hand until you get safely into the store and avoid the risk that they wander away from the vehicle and get hit by a careless driver. Be sure to do the same coming back out into the parking lot afterward.
Use the pedestrian paths where they exist
Many parking lots have lanes marked for pedestrians to walk in and marked crossings. Using these can help, because this is where drivers should expect to have to stop. If you take a shortcut down the driving lane or between vehicles, drivers are less likely to notice you.
Try to make eye contact with drivers
You may occasionally need to pass directly behind a car or in front of one. Making eye contact with the driver before proceeding allows you to make sure they have seen you. Put your phone away so you can focus on the traffic around you.
If a careless driver does injure you or one of your family members, be sure to learn about your options for compensation.