WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018
| A33
north shore news nsnews.com
How to survive a mall holiday parking lot their shopping lists or frustrated by their attempts to find an empty spot in a packed lot. Here are some tips from ICBC to help you navigate those busy parking lots this holiday season without adding a trip to the autobody shop to your Christmas to-do list:
ANDY PREST aprest@nsnews.com
Every year there are two things out to ruin Christmas: the Grinch, and mall parking lots.
We can’t do much about the Grinch except keep on singing, but maybe we can all do our part to make parking lots a little safer so no one needs to eat turkey through a straw in a hospital bed this year. According to stats recently released by ICBC, the number of crashes recorded in mall parking lots goes way up each December as drivers race to find the perfect gift – and the perfect parking spot – in the busiest shopping season of the year. ICBC’s stats survey found that in 2017 approximately 150,000 crashes occurred in parking lots resulting in 5,400 injuries, with the majority of those crashes happening in December, on Fridays and Saturdays, and between the hours of noon and 3 p.m. Parking lot crashes typically happen at lower speeds so the risk of serious injury is reduced, but drivers need to practice safe driving habits and be particularly aware of their surroundings in parking lots. Particularly during the holiday season, mall parking lots present unique challenges with heavy pedestrian traffic and increased congestion, not to mention the added layer of drivers distracted by
RULES OF THE ROAD STILL APPLY IN PARKING LOTS Drivers should know that the law still applies, even in mall parking lots. Avoid cutting diagonally through a lot – travel only in the appropriate lanes. Don’t use your phone while driving. Instead, program your navigation or holiday tunes before you start your car. TRY TO HAVE YOUR CAR PARKED FACING OUT This position is safest for drivers because it helps you avoid the risk of reversing into a lane with potential blind spots when leaving. PARK FURTHER AWAY, IF YOU CAN Instead of circling endlessly to get a spot that’s closest to the mall entrance, pick a spot that’s farther away. You’ll avoid a high-traffic area where you’re more likely to crash with another vehicle or hit a pedestrian. SLOW DOWN AND BE ON ALERT Drivers should drive slowly in
The festive spirit doesn’t always extend into the parking lot. New ICBC data shows that the number of crashes in mall parking lots goes way up during the busy Christmas shopping season. PHOTO PAUL MCGRATH parking lots to have enough time to react to an unexpected vehicle backing out of their parking spot or an unanticipated pedestrian, especially young children, who may be harder to see. PAY ATTENTION TO ARROWS AND STOP SIGNS Many parking lots are quite narrow, restricting certain lanes to a
Sitting idle in a lane can leave you vulnerable to a collision, and you could be blocking other drivers who are trying to leave.
single direction. Pay attention to the signs and markings on the road to avoid getting into a crash. DON’T BLOCK TRAFFIC Deciding to follow a shopper, then waiting for them to load their car, buckle up and leave, jams up traffic behind you and likely takes you much longer than if you had just found a spot farther away.
Trust Your Car
PLAY IT COOL There’s no sense in having a showdown with another driver for a parking spot. Move along, and maybe that good karma will net you something really nice this season.
Canadian Tire
with the
North Shore
Auto Service Team SALE ON FRIDAY NOV. 30 TO THURSDAY DEC. 6, 2018
DEAL OF THE WEEK
ALL-SEASON
SAVE
PROMO
89
30%
59
ea, up
Reg 127.99 ea, up 185/65R15 88H
24 EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS PROMO 93†† month 36
14 358
TOTAL PRICE/4 TIRES
PERFORMANCE SCORE: 97.6^/100 TOP RATED: ICE TEST
X-ICE XI3 PROMO
SAFE WINTER DRIVING TIPS:
Our location managers can help you with all your winter driving needs.
• Do not leave your car running unattended while it’s warming up • Brush and clear all the snow or frost completely off all windows, side mirrors, lamps and roof before driving • Have your snow tires put on now before it snows • Ensure your wiper fluid is of the de-icing variety
Oliver Krieger
Roya Khodabandehloo
• Go to drivebc.ca for the latest road conditions before setting out
49
ea, up
Reg 129.99 ea, up 175/65R15 88T
SAVE
70
24 EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS PROMO 75†† month 96
18 449
SAVE
10%
will Oelp yoQr veOicle last longer.
WE OFFER:
54
87
ea, up
Reg 60.97 ea, up 155/80R13 79T
PLUS $ GET
24 EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS PROMO 15†† month 48
9 219
TOTAL PRICE/4 TIRES
40 ONLINE/MAIL-IN REBATE
‡
ALL-SEASON
PROMO
135
49
ea, up
Reg 152.99 ea, up 215/60R16 95H
SELECTED MIChELIN TIRES
PERFORMANCE SCORE: 94.9^/100
FLuID FLUSHES Preventative maintenance
WINTER
DEFENDER T+H
WITH INSTANT REBATE
wOen yoQ bQy 4
TOTAL PRICE/4 TIRES
I*PIKE RSV PROMO
PERFORMANCE SCORE: 91.6^/100
$
WINTER
112
Meets the RAC* severe snow conditions standard *RUBBER ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
TRUE CONTACT
24 EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS PROMO 59†† month 96
22 541
TOTAL PRICE/4 TIRES
PERFORMANCE SCORE: 97.7^/100
SEE STORE OR THIS WEEK’S FLYER FOR MORE DETAILS.
SEASONAL TIRE CHANGEOVER SERVICE
BENEFITS OF FLUSHES:
• Maximize performance ✓ Coolant Flush ✓ Power Steering Flush • Condition internal components ✓ Brake Fluid Flush ✓ Transmission Flush • Prevent dirt and debris bQild-Qp ... and more
WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS!
INCLuDES:
PLUS
✓ Tire cOanPeover BONUS ✓ Installing tires on rims ALIgNMENT ChECK ✓ BalancinP available upon request Appointments are recommended, bQt not necessary *Most Vehicles. See in store for details.
Appointments are recommended, bQt not necessary
CANADA’S GARAGE
EQUAL PAYMENTS no interest • no fee† for 24 months**
CSN ELITE BODY SHOP
CSN ELITE EXPRESS
142 Fell Avenue, North Vancouver 604-987-4408
860 West 1st Street, North Vancouver 604-987-2033
elitebodyshop.ca
on tires and auto service purchases totalling $200 or more.
See store for details. Balancing, sales tax, and eco fees are extra.
**†
1350 Main Street, North Vancouver 604-982-9102 • www.canadiantire.ca
PROUDLY CANADIAN... LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED