For most of us, the holidays are a season of shopping. Shopping can be a lot of fun, but during the holiday season, it can be incredibly stressful and prone to accidents. There are several ways you can prevent more stress by minimizing your risk of an accident and staying safe this season.

One of the easiest, but least appealing, ways to avoid accidents is to park further away from the stores you visit. This will enable you to back out of your parking space easier because there will be less car and pedestrian traffic. You may also be able to avoid those pesky door dings that seem to appear after a particularly stressful shopping day. Try and park away from minivans and SUVs too. While there may be a space between them, their size could obstruct your visibility while backing out of your space when you’re ready to head home.

Speaking of backing up, don’t rely on your back-up cameras! They are a nice perk, but they are not as trustworthy as they seem. Usually these cameras allow you to see only what is directly behind you and not what is in the immediate area to the sides. Be sure to still be checking your surroundings and blind spots by turning your head and surveying the area before backing out.

Don’t forget to run your daytime running lights while driving. If your car is not equipped with DRLs, consider turning your headlights on in a parking lot or parking garage. This will make your vehicle more visible to pedestrians and other cars.

These simple steps may help prevent an accident and make your shopping season more enjoyable. To ensure you are protected in the event of an accident, give our agency a call. We’ll make sure you have the right coverage in place so you can prepare for the holidays with one less headache to worry about. You can use your mobile, for shopping too!