Dangerous Mall Driving

Don't laugh. Some of the biggest accidents occur in mall parking lots across the country. Fender benders are a particularly common sight as mall patrons from all directions fight for a single parking spot, forgetting all the rules and traffic laws that they learned in driver's education and throwing driver safety out the window.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season doesn't help either. With fantastic shopping deals leading up to Christmas and with shoppers unable to break the habit of waiting until the last minute to buy gifts for their loved ones -- the malls are crowded with shoppers and drivers desperate for a parking spot close to the door.

Today, we're going to focus on things you can do to avoid getting in an accident at a mall. These are tips that promote driver safety and are especially useful for new drivers entering a driver's education course.

Tip #1 -- Park Far Away

This tip might seem obvious. But drivers new and old are always keen on getting a spot close to the mall entrance. If you can stand to walk a few minutes, park far away from the door. If you're a new driver who is just beginning a driver's ed course, chances are you're used to walking. Save the close spots for the elderly and people who are unable to walk great distances.

I know what you're thinking. What does this have to do with driver safety? Well, simply put, you'll benefit from not having to fight other drivers for the closer spots. Mall patrons are an aggressive bunch and they'll stop at nothing to fight with you for a parking spot. With slippery road conditions and poor drivers who remember nothing from their days in driver's education, fender benders are not just a possibility - they're a probability.

Tip #2 -- Use Your Horn

Don't be afraid to use your horn. One of the most common mistakes drivers make is thinking that the car horn is there as a means to yell at other drivers. A good driver's education program should teach proper horn etiquette. Too many drivers, young and old, use the horn to tell a driver that they've done something stupid on the road. The blaring horn is usually partnered with a raised middle finger and lots of screaming.

The horn, when properly used, can help promote driver safety. Use the horn as a warning device that you're approaching from around the bend. Tell a driver backing out from a parking spot to wait their turn because you're getting close and intending to pass. Warn pedestrians who may be approaching your vehicle that you're backing up. Another driver in a mall parking lot may not be able to see you negotiating the tight corner. But if they hear your gentle tap of the horn, they will be more inclined to slow down, thus preventing a potential car accident. It's a logical skill taught in driver's education that too many drivers immediately forget. The horn can prevent accidents. Use it wisely.

Tip #3 -- Proceed With Caution

A mall is not a freeway. With so many pedestrians and drivers in one packed area, it's critical that you drive with caution. If you're in a driver's education program and your parents are letting you get behind the wheel to practice, remember this: Be aware of your surroundings, drive safe and be proactive on the road to anticipate situations ahead. Even in a mall parking lot. Doing so will help you get in and out of the mall safely this holiday season.