Parking lot antics create headaches, accidents

By ASHLEY LUTHERN

aluthern@vindy.com

As shoppers flock to local malls and plazas to use gift cards and exchange or return gifts, parking lots are prime locations for fender benders, according to the American Automobile Association.

“People know to be concerned about safety on highways and neighborhood streets, but they forget to be on alert in parking lots,” said Lori Cook, AAA Safety Advisor. “Crashes happen frequently in parking lots and have the potential to be quite dangerous, particularly for pedestrians.”

Shoppers at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman have also noticed the danger of parking lots during the holiday season.

“When I was backing out of a spot, a car nearly hit me as it was coming down the aisle,” said Lisa O’Connell of Berlin Center. “Everyone should just back out slowly and try not to park next to bigger vehicles that they can’t see past.”

Monica Gibson was at the mall and said she pays special attention to children in parking lots.

“If you’re driving, keep an eye out for kids, but if you’re a parent keep a hold of your kids, too,” said Gibson, who is from Salem.

Distractions on the road or in the parking lot also lead to accidents.

“Avoid the temptation to text or talk on a cell phone until you are safely inside,” Cook said. “Texting while driving negatively affects driver perception, judgment and reaction time and can lead to a deadly incident.”

James Connolly of Austintown said his parking lot pet peeve is when drivers ignore lanes.