Safety experts generally advise pedestrians to prioritize visibility to limit their risk of getting struck by a vehicle. They recommend that people walk on lighted roads after dark or during transitional times of day. They also recommend that people cross the road at marked locations.
Generally speaking, pedestrian crash risk is lower in locations where drivers know they have to watch for pedestrians. As such, it would be logical to assume that parking lots are relatively safe for pedestrians. Unfortunately, collision statistics indicate that the opposite is true. Why do so many drivers in parking lots fail to notice pedestrians?
Distraction is an issue in parking lots
Distracted driving is unsafe and may constitute a violation of the law in certain circumstances. Most drivers recognize that they should not handle their phones while operating motor vehicles. Still, quite a few motorists admit to occasionally texting while driving.
A larger percentage of motorists admit to texting while driving in parking lots than on public roads. In fact, they also admit to using social media while driving in parking lots.
Lower speed limits and the lack of regular traffic regulation enforcement in parking lots may give drivers a false sense of confidence. Unfortunately, their decisions can have dire implications for the people crossing the parking lot on foot.
When car-pedestrian crashes occur, pedestrians often sustain major injuries. That is true even in collisions that occur at low speeds in parking lots. Holding drivers accountable for unsafe habits, such as distracted driving in parking lots, can help injured pedestrians pay for their medical care and replace lost wages after a preventable pedestrian crash.