| The holiday shopping season is here, and | | | | fewer cars in the parking lot and more |
| while you're bumping arms with other shoppers | | | | accessible parking spaces. |
| while reaching for the perfect gift, your car | | | | |
| may be getting a few bumps of its own out in | | | | Look behind you. When backing out of a |
| the parking lot. | | | | parking spot, we're used to looking left and |
| | | | right, but don't forget to look directly |
| Nicks, dings and scratches are common | | | | behind you. A vehicle across the way may be |
| casualties to cars caused primarily in | | | | backing out at the same time, or shoppers may |
| parking lots; beyond just looking unsightly, | | | | be rushing by. |
| when it comes time to sell your vehicle or | | | | |
| trade it in, those "little" nicks and dings | | | | Don't get sandwiched. Going back to the tight |
| can significantly reduce the value. The good | | | | spot, avoid parking between two large SUVs, |
| news is, with just a little foresight on your | | | | truck or minivans. If you are driving a large |
| part, they can largely be avoided. | | | | car, the space will be too tight. If you are |
| | | | driving a small car, you won't be able to see |
| Parking lots are actually quite risky, and | | | | around the other vehicles while you're |
| for more than just the little dings. "People | | | | backing out. |
| know to be concerned about safety on highways | | | | |
| and neighborhood streets, but they forget to | | | | Use your headlights. Studies show that having |
| be on alert in parking lots," said Bella | | | | your headlights on--even during the |
| Dinh-Zarr, Ph.D., AAA's Director of Traffic | | | | day--reduces your risk of a collision. And in |
| Safety Policy. "Crashes happen frequently in | | | | certain regions, during the holidays many |
| parking lots and have the potential to be | | | | days are gray and cloudy, so turning on your |
| quite dangerous, particularly for | | | | lights will make your car easier to see for |
| pedestrians." | | | | other drivers. |
| | | | |
| They can be so risky, in fact, that the | | | | Head to the top. If you're in a parking |
| Insurance Institute for Highway Safety | | | | garage, many cars will be circling, looking |
| reports that 20 percent of all collisions | | | | for the "premium" close spots. You can avoid |
| resulting in damage claims occur in parking | | | | this frustration, and reduce your risk of |
| lots. To prevent the crashes, bumps, thuds, | | | | collision, by simply heading directly to the |
| nicks and dings, follow these top ten parking | | | | top floors. There's likely to be much more |
| lot driving tactics: | | | | space and less traffic, so even if you end up |
| | | | walking a bit farther, you'll be able to park |
| Don't park too close to the shopping cart | | | | quickly and safely. |
| bin. Though you may be tempted (after all, | | | | |
| then only one car can park next to you), | | | | Slow down and be choosy. If you're finding |
| don't give in. Many people launch shopping | | | | that the holidays have you trying to travel |
| carts at the bin with one hand behind their | | | | at the speed of light, slow down; avoid risky |
| back, without stopping to look where the cart | | | | driving just to get to a parking spot first. |
| ends up (or what it ricochets off of). Also, | | | | Just as with your shopping, you should be |
| if it's windy, carts can easily blow out of | | | | choosy about where you park: Is there enough |
| the bin and into your car. | | | | space between your vehicle and the ones |
| | | | nearby? Could shopping carts or other debris |
| If the spot's small, keep going. You know the | | | | blow into your vehicle? Is it well-lit and |
| spot. It's the first in the lane or the | | | | safe? Will you be able to back out of the |
| closest one by half a block. You hesitate for | | | | spot without difficulty? "In general, don't |
| a moment, then forge ahead, determined to | | | | allow the holiday rush to affect your |
| wedge your car into it, no matter how tight a | | | | driving, drive slowly, use your turn signal, |
| squeeze. This is a surefire way for your car | | | | park in safe areas and practice defensive |
| to get bruised as the people parked next to | | | | driving skills at all times," said Sebastian |
| you try to squeeze into their cars. You'll | | | | Giordano, chief operating officer of the Top |
| probably get a few bruises yourself when you | | | | Driver driver education company. "By |
| try squeezing in and out. Remember, just | | | | anticipating the actions of other drivers and |
| because you can fit "in the yellow lines" | | | | pedestrians, you may avoid senseless |
| doesn't mean you should take the spot. | | | | accidents." |
| | | | |
| Park as far out as (safely) possible. As long | | | | Take public transportation ... or walk. By |
| as it's safe to do so, parking at the far end | | | | far, the best way to ensure that your car |
| of the parking lot means lighter traffic, | | | | remains dent- and fender-bender-free is to |
| less congestion and lower risk of collision. | | | | not drive it at all! If it's available in |
| Plus, a little extra walking could do most | | | | your area, public transportation is a great |
| all of us some good, particularly during the | | | | choice. If you can, walking is the best |
| holidays when you'll be sipping cocoa and | | | | choice, as you will also get excersie. |
| savoring sweets more often than usual. | | | | Alternatively, some larger shopping areas |
| | | | offer shuttles between stores. This way, you |
| Use side entrances. The main entryways of | | | | can park your car in an outlying (safe) area, |
| stores are the most crowded. Look for doors | | | | then shuttle between stores without having to |
| on the sides of the building; there will be | | | | worry about finding another parking spot. |