Parking lots are deceptive. There’s no high-speed traffic to worry about and sometimes there’s no traffic at all. While you may be tempted to relax and let your guard down, don’t. Hazards of a different kind exist in parking lots and they are responsible for over 30% of truck accidents. While the speeds involved are slow, the damage potential in terms of dollars, especially to cars and fixed objects is great. This is because trucks are large and by the time the commercial or owner operator truck driver is aware of what he’s done, it’s too late.
How do these accidents happen? It depends on the type of parking lot. When making deliveries to large retail stores or stores in malls, the commercial or owner operator truck driver must contend with the public. The situation is similar to when you go to a store in your car: cars are everywhere and aren’t always driving in predictable ways. Pedestrians are also everywhere often doing unpredictable things. The difference is you’re in a semi-truck with limited maneuverability and visibility and must make your way to the delivery dock in the back of the store. You must avoid parked cars, people, and fixed objects such as posts, poles, fire hydrants, trees, dumpsters, and even transformers.
Another situation is making a delivery to a shipping dock in an industrial area where you must back your way in while trying to avoid the odd car and fixed objects. Although the situation is less crowded than the retail store delivery, accidents often happen just the same to the commercial or owner operator truck driver. When dealing with either of these two situations, follow these safety tips:
- Get out of your truck and look. Even when moving forward, the tight fit of many parking lots and delivery areas demands it. Sometimes the obstacles are higher up such as tree limbs, sagging power lines, and awnings. Never attempt backing up without getting out and looking. Do a complete circle of your commercial or owner operator truck. Turn on your flashers when getting out.
- Slow down. Most parking lot accidents happen because of haste. Given the short distances and slow speeds, driving fast saves little time and only causes accidents. The same is true of not taking the time to get out of your truck to look.
- Avoid blind side backing. Drive around and approach the dock from the other direction.
- Never back up. Unless you are backing to a dock, go around the parking lot instead of backing up when you overshoot your destination.
- Use a spotter who knows how to spot.
- Pay attention to signs. In malls and retail store lots, look for the signs that indicate the truck entrance.
- Try to avoid peak hours when making your deliveries.
Sometimes accidents happen in spite of your best efforts. That’s why your Georgia commercial or owner operator truck insurance coverage is so important. Contact us today for more information.
