There’s no question that distracted driving is resulting in a rise in car accidents across the country. That said, you may not have considered this issue: Distracted driving while in a parking lot. This has become a real issue, as evidenced by a recent study by the National Safety Council (NSC). Read on to learn more and then reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you’ve been involved in an accident that resulted from distracted driving.
How many people do you think would admit to distracted driving in a parking lot?
The study was surprising on some ends and not surprising on others. While most people think of distracted driving as an issue only when we’re on the roads, the study showed that two out of three drivers admitted that they have driven while distracted in a parking lot. This includes things like texting, checking their phone, turning their radio on while taking their eyes off the road for a long period of time, etc.
What exactly are people doing in parking lots?
The survey went even further and broke down exactly what people were doing. 66% of respondents said that they’d made phone calls while driving through a parking lot and 56% admitted that they’d texted while driving in a parking lot. They also admitted to a lot of other behaviors that can be distracting, including:
- Programming their GPS
- Using social media
- Sending or reading email
- Video chatting
- Taking pictures
How serious are parking lot accidents?
Many people assume that accidents in parking lots are relatively minor. After all, they almost always involve slow speeds, right? The facts are this: Over 50,000 accidents occur in garages and parking lots each year. What’s worse, is that these accidents lead to upwards of 60,000 injuries and more than 500 fatalities each year.
It’s not just drivers who are at risk
Most of those accidents involve other cars but pedestrians aren’t safe either. Distracted walking has been in an issue. In fact, in the decade between 2001 and 2011, there were more than 11,000 injuries that resulted from pedestrian accidents where people were on their cellphones.
What can you do to reduce the instances of parking lot accidents?
First and foremost, be aware of your surroundings any time you’re driving – including in a parking lot. Stay parked until you have made your phone calls, sent your texts, checked your email, and gotten your GPS set up. Just because you’re driving at a lower speed doesn’t mean that you’re safe from injury or damage.
Reach out to us for help if you’re injured
If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian or a driver, then you should call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 as soon as possible. We are here to help you move forward. To learn if you have a case, reach out for a free consultation. We can quickly assess your situation and let you know what your options are. Stop wondering and call us today for answers.
