The lot looks calm—until dusk hits and carts sail like small icebergs. Treat the parking area like a trail you’d plan in winter.
Design your route before you step
- Closer isn’t always safer. The farther you park, the more surface you must navigate—more chances to slip. Pick a spot that gives you a cleared, lit path to the door, and decide now whether you need cleats.
- Read the surface. Lots are dynamic—undulations from frost heaves, melt from engines and tires, and refrozen ruts. Look where you put your feet.
As a driver
- Visibility wins. Headlights on, even by day. Slow-roll past entrances and cart corrals.
- Back out square. Pause fully before turning so cameras and mirrors can do their job.
- Give people time. Weather, wind, and ice slow everyone; kids get loose from parents and elders need extra time with groceries.
If metal meets metal
Take a breath. Photograph both vehicles, plates, positions, the ground surface (ice/slush/potholes), and nearby lighting. Exchange info calmly (names, phones, insurance, driver’s license), then follow What to Do After an Accident and save everything. If an adjuster calls, our Insurance Claims page explains your options and common pitfalls.
If you’re the pedestrian
Treat cart returns as slip zones—meltwater gathers there. If you fall, report the incident ASAP, get witness names/contact info, and document how you left the scene and who assisted you—those details matter later. See Premises Liability for why.