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Parking Lot Safety
Parking structures are universal and can be found worldwide. From schools to hospitals, shopping centers to grocery stores; many of us use them daily, but often, take safety in these areas for granted. Since we are driving at such low speeds, we think accidents are unlikely to occur, and as such, we tend to forget our safe driving habits.
In fact, parking facilities are one of the likeliest places for fender benders to occur. 1 out of 5 accidents occur in your parking lots! (According to data from Independent Insurance Agents of America and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
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With the high levels of activity and traffic in parking lots, both drivers and pedestrians are at risk. These facilities, whether public or privately owned, must ensure adequate measures are taken to prevent automobile accidents. The larger the size lot, the more measures are needed to guide traffic and pedestrian safety.
Parking lots, often located on private property, are not patrolled by public officials. Many drivers are thus not inclined to follow and obey traffic signs or signals. This affects property owners and managers who now have a difficult task of enforcing safe driving behavior. If adequate traffic control is not implemented, they can be held accountable for some accidents that do occur. |
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Our products were specifically designed to address speeding and dangerous driving behavior in parking facilities. Forcing drivers to travel at minimum speeds increases awareness and reaction time. This helps to reduce the risk of potential accidents for both drivers and pedestrians.
How Safe Are Your Parking Lots?
Although these structures are unique to the needs of the property, some commonalities will always exist. There are certain locations that pose dangerous threats to drivers and pedestrians. These "hazard zones" can be found in almost any parking lot:
| Zone 1: In front of store entrances |
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- High pedestrian traffic: entering / exiting store
- Creates obstacles for drivers
- Pedestrians with purchased merchandise can drop items when crossing
- Speeding / inattentive drivers can hit pedestrians
- Stray shopping carts can easily roll into oncoming traffic |
| Zone 2: Entry / exit points of parking facility |
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- High vehicle traffic
- Often close to main roadway
- Drivers may speed into parking lot or out into roadway without yielding
- Entrance / exit sometimes cuts through sidewalk putting pedestrians at
risk |
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- Slows traffic to 10-15 mph (approximately) while maintaining a continuous traffic flow
- Made from 100% recycled rubber!
- Interlocking design expands to any road width
- High visibility with embedded highway tape
- Tongue and groove system keeps product in place |
| Zone 3: Long stretches of straight roadway |
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- Drivers tempted to speed through these areas if no traffic control is implemented
- Drivers can become distracted while searching for a parking space
- May not notice other vehicles backing out / leaving parking stalls
- Pedestrians have no designated crosswalk and cut across roadway at their discretion
- Creates unanticipated obstacles for drivers |
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Zone 4: Major intersections |
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- High pedestrian and vehicle traffic
- Drivers may ignore stop signs or other warning signals
- Speeding cars may not notice approaching pedestrians or other drivers
- Can be a highly congested area with lots of distraction |
| Zone 5: Pedestrian cross-walks or walk-ways |
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- High pedestrian traffic
- Sometimes in several locations within parking facility
- Not always easily visible to drivers
- Speeding vehicles pose great dangers to pedestrains |
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- Aggressive device reduces speeds to 2-5 mph (approximation)
- Made from 100% recycled rubber tires
- High visibility with embedded highway tape
- Will not warp, crack, chip or rot
- Can be used for temporary or permanent use |
Personal Safety in Parking Lots
Here are some external links on how you can ensure your personal safety when traveling to and from your vehicle:
If you are looking to increase safety in parking facilities, Safest Parking Products™ has a full product-line available to fulfill your needs.
For any assistance in determining the specific solutions to use and where to install them in your parking facility, please feel free to contact our office today. |
