Is your parking lot safe?

As a business owner, you’re responsible for ensuring your property is safe for employees and customers. You may be liable if someone gets hurt in an accident caused by unsafe conditions. But one of your most significant liabilities isn’t even inside your business. It’s outside –– your parking lot is a huge liability issue.

The truth is that most people are careless when driving in parking lots. They go too fast, cut through parking spaces, and park in inaccessible or reserved parking spots. It’s why parking enforcement fees are so ubiquitous! According to the National Safety Council, at least 60,000 people are injured, and 500 people die in accidents in parking lots and garages each year. Yet, the National Safety Council also found that as many as two-thirds of drivers feel safe checking their cell phones or making a call while driving in a parking lot.

Why do all these accidents happen? The culprit may be speed. The slower speeds in parking lots trick us into a false sense of security. But accidents aren’t the only dangers in a parking lot. Slips, trips, and falls are also a big issue! So, what should you do if you’re concerned about your parking lot’s safety?

1. Make sure signage is posted. You’re legally required to post and enforce signage. If you’re concerned about speed or dangerous driving in your lots, post signage cautioning drivers to be careful.
2. Make sure your parking lot is properly maintained. Parking lots that have fallen into disrepair are a huge liability. Cracks, potholes, broken signage, or barriers are dangerous and can lead to accidents. As a business owner, you’re required to ensure your business is safe for the public, and you may face legal action if it isn’t and someone gets hurt.
3. Make sure your lot is clean and neat. Regular cleaning, snow clearing, and landscaping are essential for parking lot safety.
4. Make sure it’s safe. Parking lot safety is a big issue. Your customers should trust their vehicles are secure and that they will be safe as they walk to and from your business. If necessary, hire security and install lights.

If reading this list of parking lot safety issues makes you a little nervous, let us help. We offer facility management services that include finding the right vendors for your maintenance needs. So, if you need to get your parking lot repaved or install some floodlights, give us a call. We can contact a pre-screened local service professional who can get your parking lot in tip-top shape so you can rest easy.

Parking lots may be more dangerous than most of us realize, and that’s something business owners need to keep in mind. Take the proper steps to ensure your lots are safe for your employees and customers. We can help if you need it!