Is It Safe To Park Here?

We use our cars every day, constantly hopping in and out, parking here and there, and only noticing those annoying scratches and dents when it’s too late.  Although sometimes we can’t avoid hazards such as birds “pooping” on our vehicles, we can park them in safe locations if we use some planning and preparation and we look at the location before we park there.  Safety from hazards when parking belongs to the driver who parks the vehicle.

---

SOME LOCATIONS NOT TO PARK

• PARKING LOTS:  No matter where we go, we will most likely have to use a parking lot of some kind.  You can’t avoid them, but you can prevent dents and scratches by choosing where to park in the lot.  Look for areas where you’re least likely to get damage from a “left behind” shopping cart that rolls into your vehicle.  Also, examine the vehicles around yours – if they don’t look like the owners take care of them, then those owners won’t take care of your vehicle.  Park a little farther away than the other vehicles – the extra exercise is very good for you. If no one else parks next to your vehicle, then you’re in “good shape”.
  
• UNDER TREES:  We know that trees can provide some much needed shade on a hot, summer day, but trees also house birds, and birds like to “target” cars.  Just search online for “funny bird photos” and you’ll see them huddling together, waiting for the next car, truck, or minivan to “poop” on.  Bird poop can be very harmful to a vehicle’s paint if not removed immediately, and it doesn’t look very good when your vehicle is covered in bird poop.  Tree sap can also be a problem during different times of the year, and it will quickly cover a large portion of your vehicle if left unattended under the tree.
  
• UNDER BRIDGES:  Like trees, bridges often contain bird nests and other debris that is stored on the surface above.  Vehicles traveling on the bridge can shake debris, dirt, and seeping water loose, and it can fall below, striking your vehicle.  Drive across the bridge but don’t park under it.
  
• PLAYGROUNDS AND SPORTS FIELDS:  If the parking lot is near a playground or sports field particularly where balls are used, your vehicle isn’t safe from being hit by a flying ball.  Any kind of ball (baseball, soccer, football, etc.) can dent a vehicle or break a windshield.  Also, watch for children on bicycles in and around the vehicles. 
  
• PARKING GARAGES:  Here’s a simple rule of thumb – Park on the top floor of the garage and take the elevator or stairs to your destination below.  It’s usually cleaner and there will be fewer vehicles or people to damage your vehicle.  Parking next to another vehicle can result in door dings and dents to both sides of your vehicle, and people will be less likely to contact you if they “accidentally” damaged your vehicle.
  
• NEAR INTERSECTIONS:  Lots of vehicular traffic, people focusing on other things, and your vehicle not being a priority for other drivers.  More collisions occur at intersections than at any other location.
  

---

Blog Post Provided by our Partner Capellas Collision Reconstruction "CCR"