With holiday retail sales expected to top $1 trillion for the first time ever, AAA is reminding shoppers to make safety a priority as they shop on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season. “Traffic will be heavy around shopping malls and retail centers beginning early Friday morning and throughout the weekend,” said Shawn Steward, public affairs manager, AAA Kansas. “It’s vitally important that motorists and pedestrians alike practice patience, avoid distractions, protect their valuables and vehicles, and keep aggression in check while navigating parking lots and roadways."
While the holiday season is synonymous with feelings of peace, charity and good will, not everyone enjoys the season. For some, hectic schedules, long to-do lists, loneliness, financial hardship and familial loss seem magnified during the holiday season. Heightened emotions can spill over into frustration and aggression behind the wheel at a time when vehicle and pedestrian traffic are at their highest. Motorists with too much on their minds may become easily angered or distracted on the roadway and in parking lots.
AAA reminds drivers not to let emotions lead to destructive choices. That reminder is also good advice for those who practice good driving behaviors but become overly agitated by other drivers who are less than courteous. Policing the driving behavior of others by engaging with them can quickly escalate the situation. “You never know how the other driver might react,” Steward said. “Instead, maintain a cool head and focus on driving your own vehicle safely.”
As the holiday shopping season gets under way and retail areas become congested with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, AAA offers these tips to help prevent aggressive driving and road rage:
- Don’t Offend. Avoid forcing another driver to use their brakes or turn the steering wheel in response to something you have done. Follow traffic laws and practice courteous behavior behind the wheel. Obey traffic signals, take your turn at intersections and give space to other drivers changing lanes ahead of you. Always use your directional.
- Be Tolerant and Forgiving. Assume that another driver’s actions are nothing personal. The other driver may just be having a really bad day. Remember, your job is not to correct or police others on their driving behaviors. Your job is to reach your destination and return home safely.
- Do Not Respond. Avoid eye contact, don’t make gestures and maintain space around your vehicle. If you feel another driver is targeting you with their aggressive behavior, call 911 if necessary.
- Avoid Aggressive Behaviors Behind the Wheel. In addition to reducing the risk of road rage in others, practice cool headedness behind the wheel yourself. Do not speed, tailgate other drivers or ignore traffic signals in your quest to “get ahead” of other drivers. The minute or two you might save are not worth the risk to your life or the lives of others.
- Give pedestrians the right-of-way. Parking lots are not only going to be crowded with vehicles, but with pedestrians as well, going to and from their vehicles. Do not accelerate as you approach a crosswalk in an effort to avoid waiting for pedestrians to cross. Proceed slowly down parking lanes and access roads; the parking lot is not the place to drive at road speed.
Pedestrians, motorists should avoid distractions. As motorists head out to capture Black Friday deals, the National Safety Council warns that tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. “Injuries and fatalities can spike this season simply due to the sheer number of shoppers determined to beat the crowd to the best sales of the season rather than focusing on where they are driving or walking,” Steward said. “Pedestrians and motorists share the responsibility of creating safe roadways at all times.”
For pedestrians, AAA recommends the following Black Friday reminders:
- Stay alert and watch for vehicles about to pull away into and out of parking spaces. Avoid distractions, put down your smartphone and do not wear headphones in both ears.
- Park in well-lit areas and remember where you parked. Stow away purchased items in trunks or covered cargo areas to reduce the chance of theft. Always lock your vehicle.
- When returning to your vehicle, have keys ready in hand, and check the area around your car and in the back seat before getting in. Once you have entered your vehicle, lock your doors immediately and do not roll down your window for strangers.
- Cross at safe places. Use crosswalks and walk on sidewalks whenever possible. Be aware of traffic and ensure a vehicle is coming to a stop before crossing.
- Never walk impaired. Avoid drug or alcohol impairment.
For motorists, AAA has the following reminders:
- Be alert. Look out for children and distracted pedestrians at all times and follow posted speed limits. Watch for pedestrians stepping out from between parked vehicles.
- Drive with caution near crosswalks and near store entrances. Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. When approaching a crosswalk, reduce your speed and prepare to stop.
- Watch for pedestrians crossing outside of crosswalks and give them the same right of way as within posted crossing areas. Maintain a slow speed throughout parking areas, including access roads and lanes in shopping center and mall parking lot areas.
- Do not clog the lanes in parking areas by leaving your vehicle curbside because you’re “just running in for a few minutes.” Park only in designated parking areas, do not idle or park in designated disabled spaces without a permit, and proceed in the correct direction down parking lanes and on access roads. Follow basic traffic rules and courteous driving behavior.
- Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol and drugs impair your reaction time, reflexes and decision-making skills
In addition to avoiding aggressive and distracted driving, AAA reminds shoppers to also protect their purchases and vehicles from criminals.
AAA offers the following tips to deter thieves:
- Always take your keys. It may go without saying but never leave your keys in your vehicle. Before heading into the store, lock your vehicle, take your keys with you and keep new purchases out of sight. Apply your parking brake for added security.
- Stay on guard in parking lots. Choose well-lit areas and stay aware of your surroundings when walking to and from your car. Do not be distracted by your smartphone. Keep your purse close to your body and your wallet in your front pocket. Before getting back in your car, check underneath it and in the back seat, stow packages out of sight and lock your doors as soon as you enter your vehicle.
- Remember where you park. Spending added time walking around a parking lot looking for your car can bring frustration and distraction, which could be an open invitation to thieves who may grab your purse or shopping bags.
- Keep children safe. If you are shopping with young children, hold their hands to keep them safe from traffic. Young children may make quick, unpredictable movements.
“AAA advises shoppers to always stay aware of their surroundings, be patient while searching for a parking space and avoid distractions while out and about,” said Steward.