driving a dozen ways to steer clear of parking lot accidents

Driving: A Dozen Ways to Steer Clear of Parking Lot Accidents
By Harriet Hodgson

Parking lots are convenient, but they are also dangerous — accidents waiting to happen. Grocery store lots are especially dangerous when people are getting off work and rushing to buy food for dinner.
Unpredictable drivers also contribute to parking lot accidents and you have seen them all.

Cross country drivers — the ones who drive diagonally across the rows — are one danger. They often drive across several rows before coming to a stop. Some are so intent on getting the space they want they reverse directions. You can hardly tell where they are headed next.

The “ignore the lines” drivers are not much better. These drivers park across the white lines and take up two, sometimes three, parking spaces. Park next to these drivers and you take a chance that your car will be dinged.

Then there are the “ignore the rules” folks. Though they are not handicapped these drivers make a bee-line for handicapped spaces. What s more, they are not the least bit embarrassed about it. Ignore the rules drivers think they are entitled to these spaces.

“Not looking behind” drivers are really dangerous. They are in such a hurry they forget to look behind them before backing out. Collisions and near-misses are part of their day. Unfortunately, they endanger careful drivers like you and me.

I was only in the grocery store for 20 minutes. In that time a driver hit my car door. The dent was small, and it was also costly, $500 to be exact. When I reported the accident to my insurance company the agent said, “We hear this story all the time.” How can you steer clear of parking lot accidents?

1. Use your defensive driving skills. Drive as if everyone else is crazy.

2. Turn on your car lights for safety.

3. Circle the lot first and and look for empty spaces.

4. Drive slowly.

5. Watch for rolling carts, running kids, and parents with strollers.

6. Obey all stop, one way, and yield signs.

7. Park at the rear of the lot where there are usually fewer cars.

8. Choose a spot that is far from tent sales, garden sales, and high school car washes.

9. Park beneath a light.

10. Center your car between the white lines.

11. Before you back out look behind you and in both directions.

12. Go forward to the next row so you do not have to back out.

Share these tips with teenage drivers. The tips do not guarantee that you and your teens will be accident-free, but they stack the odds in your favor.

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com
http://www.healthwriter.blogspot.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance nonfiction writer for 28 years. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. He 24th book, “Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief,” written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com A five-star review of the book is posted on Amazon. You will find another review on the American Hospice Foundation Web site under the “School Corner” heading.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harriet_Hodgson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Driving:-A-Dozen-Ways-to-Steer-Clear-of-Parking-Lot-Accidents&id=415077