‘Tis the season…

parking lotIt’s that time of year again. Time to find a parking spot at the mall! How many times have you driven to the mall only to find it packed with vehicles and you have to park the furthest away from any door? Frustrating isn’t it? Maybe these tips will help us all.

Let’s first decide when you should go to the mall. If you can go there when most people are at work or school, that’s the best time. Maybe taking a day off from work will help organize your time efficiently. It’s also easiest to shop when the stores aren’t as busy. So here’s your plan; go first thing in the morning when the stores open up for business. The parking spaces are plentiful at that time, so we tend not to rush and choose spaces that put us at risk. You all know how busy the parking lot is after 5pm and on weekends, so why do we choose to shop at that time and then complain about how difficult it is to find a spot? If we use logic every now and then, we can be happier.

Since the parking lot is busiest during this time of year, please slow down and use extreme caution when driving through it. Use the aisles as you would a roadway and signal your intentions so other road users will know where you’re going. Don’t forget to yield to pedestrians so they don’t get that “run down” feeling.

I was walking to the mall entrance the other day after parking my van, with my 4 kids in front of me, when a driver came racing around the corner at a high rate of speed! I had to hurry my kids and I to the sidewalk to avoid them. Where’s public safety here? You’re not saving any real time here by driving faster in a mall parking lot. Slow down! Where else would you find pedestrians walking slowing right in front of your moving vehicle? So, please slow down and look for wandering people.

Now, this may seem unusual, but if you’re driving down the aisle, drive toward the centre of the aisle. This creates more space on the right side of your vehicle so you can respond easier if a driver or pedestrian moves out from your right side. Of course, you can only do this if no vehicles are coming toward you. Please ensure you’re also moving toward the right side as you approach an intersecting aisle.

I’m sure you’ve tried this before, but here’s a suggestion to help you find a parking spot in a crowded lot. If you can’t find a spot , drive up to one of the main doors and wait for someone to exit the mall or store. Follow them to their vehicle and wait with your signal on. Give them enough space so they can leave. Also, when you’re following these shoppers, don’t get too close or else they’ll think you’re stalking them! But at least you’ll be “Christmas stalking”!