Black Friday Parking Lot Safety

STARKVILLE, Miss(WCBI)—It’s so easy to get caught up trying to snag the last flat screen t.v. for dad or the “my size angel barbie” for a little one.

Research shows that two thirds of drivers will likely be distracted when pulling into a parking lot or parking garage.

I learn today that being distracted can be very costly.

Brooke Carpenter is a Starkville Police Officer. She says when it comes to issues with Black Friday it’s the same ole tune.

“It’s very congested in the parking lots. A lot of people out walking. People with their children. Loose buggies. Things like that.”

Shoppers hit the stores early this morning. Some even started as soon as the turkey was done.

Megan Kemp was doing a little Christmas shopping. She says her biggest fear, especially in the parking lot, is people not taking enough time to be safe.

” It’s the holidays and everybody is frantic and try to make sure they have the money. And getting in a hurry making sure they don’t get the last item and it’s things like that that can cause people to not pay attention. And things like texting to say “good morning”….can wait,” said Black Friday Shopper Megan Kemp.

Carpenter says shoppers like Kemp can feel safer if everyone follows the safety Do’s of Black Friday shopping.

” Get your heads out of your phones be sure that you’re looking up. Also drivers make sure that your watching for pedestrians make sure you have a handle on you child and make sure that you lock your car,” said Carpenter.

Being around so many people, Carpenter says, can cause emotions to run high. She says, no matter the case, shoppers should never take matters into their own hands.

” If they have a traffic accident then they need to call the police department and then we will come and make sure we get that handled if you have a disagreement with somebody it’s best… rule of thumb to just walk away. There’s no need to get into any argument over a big screen t.v. or some kind of toy,” said Carpenter.

Over all, carpenter says  being aware is a key factor in being safe.

” We just encourage everybody to pay attention to your surroundings. It’s going to be up to the pedestrian and also the motorist to make sure we all stay safe these holidays,”said Carpenter.

Now some stores are still honoring black Friday sales but many stores concluded black Friday deals at 5.