12 Parking Safety Tips for Millburn-Short Hills Holiday Shoppers

The last few days of the holiday shopping season are underway in Millburn-Short Hills, and parking lots are more congested than ever. This additional traffic can result in fender benders and even injuries. Here are a few key tips from your local AAA for staying safe while finishing up your holiday shopping.

1) Keep your cool

Remain calm when you’re driving around the parking lot. A lot of people will be vying for the same spots, so being patient while you wait and being tolerant of other drivers will pay off in the long run and ensure you have a pleasant holiday shopping experience.

2) Head for the side door

At the mall, everyone wants to park close to the stores, especially near the main entrance. Most malls have secondary entrances with less traffic and more convenient spaces, so drivers should try to park there.

3) Learn to play the outfield

Outlying areas traditionally have more spaces, lighter traffic and a lower collision risk. Drivers should be aware that some outlying spaces are a foot narrower than their more convenient counterparts, so using them could result in a dinged door or present difficulty pulling in and out.

4) Dock alongside an island

Besides helping control traffic flow, islands can provide protection to the front and sides of the car. For that reason, parking spots alongside an island are prime real estate.

5) Put yourself in the pole position

Parking in front of a light pole can help protect cars from inattentive drivers who pull too far into their spot and hit the vehicle’s front bumper. The lighted spots also offer better security and since the parking lot section numbers are often posted on them, cars parked by them are easier to locate.

6) See and be seen

Use headlights when scouring lots and parking garages for spaces, even during the day. The use of headlights increases the visibility of the car, especially when coming around turns. Research shows that, even in the daytime, keeping headlights on reduce the crash risk.

7) Don’t put yourself in a tight spot

Avoid parking between a pair of tall SUVs or minivans where it might be hard to back out of the space. If you can’t see well enough to back out safely, seek help from one of your passengers.

8) Refrain from reverse

If possible, avoid backing out of a space by either backing into it or “pulling through” two spaces when possible. Be careful, however, because in some municipalities, backing into spaces amid moving traffic is illegal, and impeding traffic flow can sometimes do more harm than good.

9) Look out for pedestrians, especially children

When behind the wheel, always look out for pedestrians – especially hard-to-see children. When walking to and from the car, hold young ones’ hands to keep them safe from traffic.

10) Stay “on track” and alert on foot

Pedestrians should use walkways and crosswalks, if available. If it is necessary to walk in the traffic lanes, be alert for subtle cues, such as car exhaust or reverse lights, which signal that a car is about to pull out.

11) Don’t let a “Grinch” steal your gifts

Place packages and shopping bags in the trunk so they won’t be visible to would-be thieves. If you drive an SUV or other vehicle with an open trunk area, invest in a retractable trunk cover.

12) Buckle up!

Even a low-speed crash can result in injuries. Make sure everyone in the car is restrained by a seat belt or appropriate child safety seat while the car is in motion, even if it’s just a short trip to another park of the parking lot.

“People already know to be concerned about safety on roadways, but they tend to forget remain alert in parking lots,” Cathleen Lewis, Director of Public Affairs & Government Relations for the Morris County AAA New Jersey Automobile Club said. “Crashes do happen frequently in parking lots and have the potential to be dangerous, especially for pedestrians.”

“Drivers always need to be aware of their surroundings,” Lewis added. “The holidays are a busy time for everyone, but drivers need to remember that when they’re behind the wheel, their focus should be on driving – regardless of whether they are on the highway or in a parking lot.”