Shopping malls will be predictably busy during the festive season and in general. We tend to concentrate while driving on the freeway but have a more casual approach to driving in a parking lot. Even though you are driving much slower, you must still stay alert. So, it is essential to take note of the following safety tips.1
Don’t be distracted1
While driving around the parking lot, you need to stay alert, especially with little children possibly running around and someone suddenly reversing their car out of their parking. Avoid looking at your cell phone or fiddling with the radio or infotainment system. Don’t be like the driver who was so busy talking to the front passenger that he reversed into a car travelling slowly past them. If you are about to leave the parking lot, set your GPS and destination before driving off.
Choose a well-lit parking spot1
At night, would-be criminals prefer not to be spotted in well-lit areas, which also adds to your safety when leaving your car or returning. Good lighting will also help you notice anything obstruction that may be in the way.
Make sure your car is locked1
After you have locked your car using a remote device, physically test that a door is indeed locked. This is necessary as the criminals lurk in parking areas with signal-jamming devices to nullify your locking signal and prevent the car from locking. If you have an old car, make sure that every door and the boot are physically locked before leaving.
Treat a parking lot like you are on the road1
When you cross a road at an intersection, you look carefully to the right and left and right again before crossing. Do the same when travelling slowly in a parking lot, as much movement can be concentrated in a small space. 1
Observe the demarcated boundaries of parking spaces
Don’t be reckless and drive diagonally across several empty parking bays to get to the one you want. You can risk an accident when a car driving past was not expecting you to shoot out of anywhere suddenly. So instead, remain in the prescribed aisles until you find parking.
Inspect your car before leaving1
Criminals also like to jam an empty plastic bottle between a car’s tyre and the mudguard so that it makes a noise when you drive off. They then pounce when you get out of the car to find out what’s the problem. Walking around your vehicle will also show you that you cannot drive forward as there is a high curb in the way. 1
Preferably go forward1
It is always difficult to spot any pedestrians behind you when reversing, never mind a car that suddenly appears out of nowhere. Thus, if possible, park somewhere where you can drive forward as you leave.
Disclaimer
Please note, this article can only be a source of information. Please consult a registered financial service provider for more information before buying any car insurance product.
Adhering to these tips will make your parking a safer experience. But unfortunately, someone could still reverse into your car, or a person could leave a dent in your vehicle in a parking lot. That’s when you need to know that you are covered by good car insurance. Contact Prime South Africa, which offers affordable car insurance products with world-class service, fixed premiums* and other exceptional benefits, if you require more information. T and Cs apply.
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