Parking lot safety is essential for both your customers and your business. Without the proper signage and striping, drivers can quickly become confused about where to drive, yield, and stop. And pedestrians can face injuries without knowing where it’s safe to walk. This blog post will discuss the best techniques for creating a secure parking lot for your clients.
Why Parking Lot Safety Matters
We don’t consider parking lots dangerous places to drive or walk. After all, many drivers go slowly and watch for other drivers.
However, according to the National Safety Council, parking lots can be more hazardous than you may think. Some common accidents in parking lots include:
- Vehicle thefts
- Backup incidents hitting pedestrians or other cars
- Fender bender accidents
- Blind spots
Hundreds of pedestrian deaths and thousands of injuries occur yearly in parking lots and garages! In a National Safety Council public opinion poll, drivers admitted to doing the following while driving in parking lots:
- Make phone calls (66%)
- Program GPS systems (63%)
- Text on cell phone(56%)
- Use social media (52%)
- Send or receive emails (50%)
- Take photos or watch videos (49%)
Others may wear headphones and even ignore other vehicles thinking they will stop. And it’s hard to know who has the right of way in many parking lots.
Lack of proper markings leaves traffic in chaos and everyone to create their own vehicle safety!
Ensuring Parking Lots Are Up to South Carolina Code
If you’re a business owner in South Carolina, parking lot safety should be one of your top priorities. but what are the best techniques for creating parking lot safety for your clients?
Ensuring your parking lot is up to code with county or city regulations is an excellent first step. These regulations help to keep everyone safe. When drivers and pedestrians know what to expect, you can help prevent accidents!
Here are some ways to improve parking lot safety for pedestrians, drivers, and passengers alike!
Fire Lanes
Include required fire lanes near the main building entrance. In South Carolina, parking lots must include at least one fire lane (typically located near the front entrance) that is a minimum of 10′ wide and 30′ long. This area should be clearly marked and empty at all times.
Highly Visible Striping to Mark Parking Spaces and MORE!
Parking lots should include parking spots that are clearly marked. Painted markings should include parking lines, crosswalks, handicap spaces, fire lanes, and more!
Striping should be highly visible to alert drivers to the parking areas. Your striping contractor should clearly mark everything so drivers and walking individuals know how to go.
Highly Visible Directional Arrows
In addition to parking spot lines, parking lots should include directional arrows. These can help drivers navigate the parking lot more efficiently and make the right of way clear to drivers.
Pedestrian Crossing Zone Striping and Signage
For pedestrians walking through parking lots, it’s crucial to mark a safe zone for them.
Designate parking lot zones with pedestrian crossing signs and lines. Pedestrian areas should be well-lit at night and have a wide, clearly marked path for pedestrians to follow.
Parking Lot Maintenance
Regularly inspect your parking lot for any signs of wear or damage. If needed, repaint parking space lines and replace worn bumpers.
Well-Lit Areas
Poor lighting in a parking lot prevents drivers from seeing pedestrians out of the reach of their headlights. Good lighting helps drivers and pedestrians see their surroundings.
Bad weather can decrease visibility, so proper lighting can help drivers not lose focus of other cars and pedestrians. With good lighting, people walking can see where they are going and who is around them.
Speed Limit, Yield, and Stop Signs
Make sure parking lot signs are visible, up to date, and adhere to local parking regulations.
Police Presence and No Trespassing Signs
You can help prevent suspicious activity by posting signs informing others that local law enforcement patrols your lot. Proper signage can help prevent theft and keep pedestrians safe at night.
According to SC Code § 23-1-15, any parking lots and garages open for public use is within the police jurisdiction. Law enforcement may act against the unlawful operation of motor vehicles in your parking lot.
Avoid Rear or Secluded Exits
When parking lots have multiple exits, it’s essential to ensure each one is well-lit and secure. Rear or secluded parking lot exits can be a target for criminals, so be aware of these areas and post signage if needed.
ADA Compliance
Keep your parking lot safe and accessible for differently-abled individuals. Include handicap parking signage, parking spots for wheelchairs, and striping to set aside areas for ramps beside handicap spaces.
Parking Lot Safety Tips
By following these parking lot safety tips, you can help keep your customers safe and ensure parking lots are safe and secure.
Be sure to include fire lanes, parking place striping, drive arrows, stop and yield signs, and proper handicap accessibility markings. With fewer car accidents in your lot, you’ll be glad you took measures to keep traffic in your lot organized and safe.
Experienced Striping and Signage For Your Clients’ Safety
At AMP Paving, we understand the laws and regulations for ADA compliance, striping and signage, fire lane guidelines, and more. Our quality striping services use only the highest-grade traffic paint applied with state-of-the-art striping machinery. We efficiently and effectively design and lay out parking lots for the best traffic flow and protection for your patrons.
Get in touch for your asphalt paving needs, striping services, repairs, and more! We offer free quotes and work with both residential and commercial projects. Talk with us today to see how we can help your project succeed!