3 Hidden Car Park Dangers to Watch Out For

When you think of road dangers, the car park is not the first thing that will come to mind. However, the National Safety Council reported that non-traffic fatalities (such as those that occur in parking lots and driveways) account for 900 to 1,900 deaths yearly. In addition, over 60,000 people get injured in parking lots annually in terms of accidents.

If you are a driver or a pedestrian, you mustn’t let your guard down in a car park. Below are 3 hidden car park dangers to watch out for:

Hazards

Unobservant pedestrians

Car parks have a lot of foot traffic, and it is easy for pedestrians to become complacent. In addition, most car parks don’t have designated crossing areas, which makes it much more likely for a person to step out into the road at any given point. This is particularly dangerous in a car park, as they will be obstructed from the driver’s view if behind an SUV or van. Therefore, as a driver, you need to watch out for unobserving pedestrians constantly.

Vehicle collisions

Just as pedestrians are not fully alert in a car park, the drivers might not pay enough attention to their surroundings. While most car parks will have some form of a one-way system, it is a common sight to see a vehicle ignoring it to get a space. Reversing cars are also a hazard as they may not see the oncoming car until it is too late.

Crime

Parking areas are known as hotspots for criminals. With cars left unattended, opportunistic individuals can take advantage and steal belongings and even the vehicles themselves. The Denver International Airport, for instance, saw an increase in car theft in their parking lots in 2021, with an average of 50 cars being stolen per month. Crimes against individuals happen, especially if the car park is remote, the lighting is poor, or it’s late at night. Therefore, both drivers and pedestrians need to be mindful of where they are parking and what time they are in the car park.

Safety tips

Always be aware of your surroundings.

Always keep your head on a swivel! When you enter a car park, you should slow down and alert other cars and pedestrians. Pay attention to signs that show traffic direction, speed restrictions, loading bays, and other potential hazards like potholes. When you leave your car, make sure to lock it securely and take all your valuables with you.

Get car insurance

A minor car crash in a car park can cost an uninsured person $10,000 — and this only increases the worse the accident is. However, accidents happen, so you should have car insurance to avoid shelling out huge sums. An article on AskMoney.com highlights that the national annual average insurance cost in 2021 was $1,592. However, some factors affect how much your car insurance will cost, such as your car’s market value and the cost of parts. Therefore, it’s good to talk to agents and consultants from different companies to compare quotes. Whether the accident happens in a parking lot or on the road, you want the best value and best coverage for any situation.

Use good car parks

You likely won’t be able to find out how good a car park is until you’re already inside. But looking out for certain features can help you decide if you’ll want to go back to that parking lot again or not. These key features include easy entry and exit points, uncomplicated traffic flow, visible signages, and good lighting. Of course, having good security equipment is a must too. For instance, there’s now License Plate Reading (LPR) technology that uses advanced camera systems to detect, read, and validate your license plate automatically. These cameras help prevent crime since they record all entries and exits.

Car parks aren’t always as safe as they appear. But by learning about hazards like these 3 hidden car park dangers to watch out for, you’ll be able to protect yourself and your vehicle. For more articles on parking solutions, check our parking blog here on ParqEx.com.

If you’re looking for safe & secure parking, ParqEx’s Marketplace has hundreds of parking spaces available at properties that use our LPR and Access technology tech! So book your parking with us today!

The article was written exclusively for parqex.com.

Author: Rosetta Jolene