Study shows parking lots present a high risk of injuries for kids

Parking lots are starting to become a dangerous place for children and the consequences can be fatal.

Researchers observed 124 kids between the ages of 2 and 10 as they crossed the parking lot. The majority of them were not within an adults arm reach, according to News Medical.

More than half got out of the vehicle before the adult. Scientists believe people may feel safer because cars are moving more slowly so people let their guard down.

In the United States, an estimated 5,000 injuries and 205 fatalities of children age 14 years and younger occur from collisions with vehicles in non-traffic locations like parking lots, driveways, and private property, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2007 report.

A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows an alarming need for adult supervision in parking lots, with 67 percent of children observed not having supervision at some point between the vehicle’s parking and the child’s entering the building.

Jenni Rouse, a doctoral student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Psychology recommends adult supervisors implement injury prevention strategies, including:

Holding a child’s hand in parking lots Making sure children remain in the car until an adult opens the door Exiting the car from the passenger side when being dropped off near a building to avoid cars passing on the driver side Teaching basic pedestrian safety practices, like looking both ways for traffic before crossing the parking lot Making children aware of traffic and the dangers associated with moving vehicles Using sidewalks when available Reducing distractions as children are guided through a parking lot, including cellphones and conversations with others