Your Guide to Parking Lot Safety: Avoiding Dings, Dents and Accidents

A National Safety Council survey found that two-thirds of drivers make calls while driving in parking lots. While it might feel safer to check your phone after pulling into a lot, parking lots account for 20 percent of car accidents.² Slower speeds, unexpected stops from other vehicles and the presence of pedestrians make it crucial to keep your eyes on the road — distractions can quickly lead to rear-end collisions or other incidents.

If you have passengers, consider asking them to hold off on conversations until the car is parked. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in parking lots and it’s easy to lose focus when your attention is divided. Searching for a parking spot, navigating tight spaces and staying alert for pedestrians are already challenging enough without unnecessary distractions adding to the stress.

Most lots have speed limits and pedestrian crossing signs that should always be obeyed. Before crossing any pedestrian walkways, pause and check if anyone is waiting to cross. Also, always use your turn signals. Since parking lots require slower speeds, it’s safer to warn the driver behind you that you plan to make a turn to avoid a collision.

If you can, avoid parking lots during peak times. You’ll encounter more aggressive driving in parking lots when they’re busiest: during holidays and weekends for most businesses, mealtime hours for restaurants and around lunchtime and after 4 p.m. for gyms. They’re also when you’re likely to face honking horns, tailgating and bad parking. While sometimes it’s impossible to avoid a congested parking lot, you’ll benefit from choosing calmer parking locations most of the time. You’ll not only avoid potential dents and dings but also save time and energy.

While small dings from neighboring car doors may be inevitable, there are ways to minimize them. Choose spacious parking spots instead of tight spaces to give your neighboring drivers more room and reduce the chance of scratching your car door while entering their vehicle. If you can, pull through to your parking spot to enhance visibility when you leave. For nighttime trips, choose a well-lit space to make it easier to see your surroundings.

Many parking lot accidents happen because drivers aren’t aware of their surroundings. When backing out of a parking spot, always check your rearview and side mirrors and look over your shoulder.

A thorough visibility check can help you avoid pedestrians, stray shopping carts or other obstacles. Many cars also have backup cameras, sensors to detect oncoming cars, pedestrian and cyclist detection and blind spot warnings, which are useful tools. Always combine safety features with manual visibility checks to ensure maximum safety.

Accidents can happen, even in parking lots. Whether you’re in a moving accident or another driver hits your parked car, stay calm and follow these steps:

• Pull over to a safe place close to the incident.
• Check for injuries and call 911 if necessary.
• Inspect the damages and take pictures of the involved vehicles.
• Exchange information with the other party, including names, contact details and insurance information.
• Keep a record of the accident’s time, date and location.

Call the police to come to the scene or file a police report.

As mundane as parking lots may seem, they require just as much attention to safety as busy roads. By driving cautiously, staying alert and using your car’s safety features wisely, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and keep your vehicle protected. And if the unexpected happens, knowing how to handle a parking lot accident can save you time and stress.

For added peace of mind, make sure you’re covered by an auto insurance provider that fits your needs. We’ve reviewed the best auto insurance companies to help you find the right policy.