Maximizing Pedestrian Safety and Security in Parking Lots & Structures

Safety, on the road and otherwise, is a responsibility shared by everyone. While accidents are always a risk, businesses, motorists, and pedestrians can take certain steps to ensure public spaces like parking lots are safe places for everyone. Here, we’ll explain how organizations can maximize pedestrian safety in parking lots by following four basic –– yet integral –– principles.

Invest in the Right Equipment

Any time a group of people shares a parking lot, there’s potential for trouble. On average, 50,000 car accidents occur in parking lots every year. That is why it is so important for organizations to improve the safety of their parking lots by investing in the right safety equipment— namely, parking lot barricades. In general, safety barricades need to meet certain criteria to prove effective, such as:

• Visibility – Drivers and pedestrians may become distracted in a parking lot. After all, they’re probably looking for their car or a parking spot. So, it is crucial for all barricades in a parking lot to be highly visible. Some organizations even use barricades to post directions or messages for visitors to cut down on confusion.
• Durability – Over time, metal barricades can become rusty and even develop jagged edges. In contrast, plastic barricades are extremely durable, can handle all types of weather, and don’t present a safety hazard.

• Connectability – Safety barricades should be able to connect to each other into a solid, continuous line. Other safety devices –– like cones, flags, or unconnected barricades –– can be easily moved or circumvented by motorists or pedestrians, which can present new, unexpected risks.

In addition to barricades, organizations may also consider investing in further safety features such as hazard lights or fence panels -– particularly if construction is ongoing in a parking lot.

Focus on Placement

Once an organization invests in the right safety equipment, the next step is to position it correctly. As mentioned above, safety barricades should be able to lock together to form continuous barriers. Here, barricade portability can prove very useful, as plans may change in a short space of time, staff should ideally be able to set up and break down barricades quickly on an as-needed basis.

Hire Adequate Staff

Different organizations and events require different levels of parking-lot staff to be on-hand. For instance, elementary schools need to have someone to stand at crosswalks during pick-up and drop-off times. Other events may require a staff member to direct traffic –– especially in temporary parking lots that may not have defined spaces. In each case, organizations have a responsibility to hire a sufficient number of capable staff members to ensure public safety.

Encourage Personal Responsibility

In the end, parking-lot safety depends on cooperation from everyone –– organizations, staff members, pedestrians, and motorists. So do your best to encourage motorists and pedestrians to take personal responsibility and act with caution in parking lots. Doing so could save lives!

Contact the Pros

At OTW, safety is our number one priority. That’s why we only produce the highest-quality barricades and safety equipment. Whether you need equipment for a certain project, event, or day-to-day use, we can help you find what you’re looking for! Contact one of our team members for more information.