Present your self with safety

Holiday happiness may begin with making out your Christmas gift list. Not so happy may be the actual shopping excursion and parking safely in your local shopping mall. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, more than 20 percent of all collisions take place in shopping mall parking lots during the holiday season.
AAA warns motorists how to avoid unnecessary hazards and potential damage claims. “Steering clear of common parking lot dangers will help you avoid stress and damage to your vehicle,” says Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “By following basic common sense driving tips you can protect yourself and your car.”
Use your headlights in parking garages, even in the daytime. You’ll be more visible to both other vehicles and pedestrians. Improving your ability to see that other vehicle that has just zipped in behind you may save a fender from being dented while you are in the process of backing up. Enhancing your ability to be seen by others may discourage another vehicle from pulling out in front of you.
Play the outfield, by parking in the outlying areas that have more open parking spaces than the ones nearer to the store where you plan to shop. You will find lighter traffic and a lower risk of collision. In some cases, however, those spaces may not be as secure, so be aware of the risks and avoid suspicious-looking situations. Most malls have secondary entrances on the sides, and those entrances usually have less traffic and more convenient spaces.
Don’t put yourself in a tight spot. Avoid parking between a pair of tall SUV’s or minivans where it might be hard for you to back out of the space. If you can’t see well enough to back out safely, get help from one of your passengers.
Look out for little ones. Children can be hard to see in busy parking lots and often make quick, unpredictable movements. When walking to and from the car, hold their hands to keep them safe from traffic.
Walk on the walkways and crosswalks and stay alert while you are on foot. Stay on track and alert on foot. If you must walk on traffic lanes, be alert for subtle cues, such as car exhaust or reverse lights. That signals a car is about to pull out. When behind the wheel, always be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially hard-to-see children.
Buckle Up! Even a low-speed collision can result in injuries. Make sure everyone is strapped in a seat belt or child seat while the car is in motion, even if it’s just a short trip to another part of the parking lot.
Protect your purchase by placing your packages in the trunk so they won’t be visible to would-be thieves. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to smash a window and steal your newly purchased gift items.
Protect yourself, your passengers and other shoppers when you make that holiday gift shopping excursion. Be extra wary while driving in the parking lot and seeking a parking place. Give yourself every advantage to avoid accidents and other types of damage and you may have a safer and happier holiday.