Bargains and discounts are back in stock – it’s time to go Black Friday Shopping! The day after Thanksgiving is all about the mad rush to your favorite stores to get the best out of holiday shopping deals. But let’s not bargain with your driving and parking skills. When everyone is in a hurry, safety might take a backseat. Put it back in the driving seat with these Black Friday safety tips for drivers.
How to drive and park safely during Black Friday shopping madness
With so many people driving around trying to get their hands on Black Friday shopping deals, traffic and parking can be a pain. Shoppers hurrying to get to the next store often leads to congested roads. Most stores do not have enough parking spots for all their bargain-hunting customers. However, you can escape driving and parking stress during the shopping madness with a little bit of planning.
When you head out to tackle your holiday shopping this year, be sure to remember these Black Friday shopping traffic and parking tips.
Plan your route before you leave home
First off, figure out what you need to buy and where you want to shop. Check out the ads in newspapers, social media, or in your email inbox to narrow down the offers you want. Figuring out where to shop before leaving the house keeps your Black Friday shopping moving smoothly. Once you‘ve decided where you want to go, plan a driving route based on the location of stores you plan to visit. Work out what items are must-haves, which stores are likely to run out of things, and what their opening/closing times are. By not racing all over town without a plan of action, you can maximize your shopping time and evade the peak rush hours of traffic during Black Friday.
Read: Steer Clear of Black Friday NYC parking tickets
Utilize your navigation apps
Traffic blocks are one of the major factors that can ruin your Black Friday shopping experience. To get an edge over all your fellow bargain hunters, you might want to consider installing a traffic app, if you don‘t have one already. Plenty of navigation apps are available to help you find the shortest route and avoid traffic snarls while providing turn-by-turn directions. Preferably, choose an app that helps you find an alternate route if the crowds are backing up traffic. Enter your destination into your GPS device or phone before leaving home so that you are prepped to battle your way through busy routes.
Pay attention while you’re parking
Do not be distracted. This is driving 101, but most drivers are distracted while parking! As many as two-thirds (a whopping 66%!) of drivers admitted to being distracted while driving through a parking lot. Statistics show that thousands of car crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures each year. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), car insurance companies report a spike in the number of claims on Black Friday and throughout the holiday shopping season. This does not include the many fender-benders that go unreported.
With the pressure of holiday shopping and bargain-hunting already on you, the last thing you need is an accident. So, keep your phones away and limit your distractions. Avoid cutting across lanes in parking lots. Be careful while backing your car out of your parking spot and keep an eye out for pedestrians. Keep a reasonable distance from the car in front of you and be extra careful throughout the day. There’ll be plenty of distracted drivers rushing around.
Read: Save more with Black Friday parking in San Francisco
Tips to park safely during Black Friday Shopping
Back out slowly and cautiously – Use your backup camera/sensor if your car has one. If not, you can always depend on your mirrors or just look around before backing out.
Keep an eye on pedestrians – Drive slowly while in the parking lot so that you have time to hit the brakes if a pedestrian suddenly steps in front of your vehicle. With all the cars in the lot, you may not see them till the last minute. Be particularly alert for small children or parents with strollers.
Park away from the doors – While it might be a bit of a walk if you park farther away from the doors, quicker and easier exit when you’re leaving.
Be considerate -Make sure you park in the center of your spot so that there’s enough space for others to open their doors. Also, park in a way that does not make it difficult for others to take out their cars.
Book your parking spot online – Booking your parking spot online before heading out shopping is a guaranteed way to spare yourself from stress. Sites and apps like Way.com will let you choose your spot from hundreds of options, days, or weeks ahead.
With so many people looking for Black Friday shopping bargains, you can’t always predict Black Friday traffic. However, if you remember these tips and take the necessary precaution, your Black Friday shopping may go a little more smoothly.
Read more blogs on affordable airport parking, the best insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.
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Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on smart car ownership and road travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make car ownership, driving, and trip planning easier for everyday travelers.
