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Don't Let Distracted Driving Get In The Way Of Your Black Friday Festivities


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DYTON -- November 24, 2015: AAA Deals, Steals & Safe Driving This Busy Shopping Weekend

AAA offers safe parking tips on Black Friday & Cyber Monday rewards for members On one of the busiest shopping days of the year, AAA urges drivers to take precaution, to avoid a Black Friday car crash, especially in parking lots and garages. Mall traffic can be overwhelming for shoppers who are heading out for their last minute bargains, so it’s crucial to exhibit the holiday spirit by safely sharing the lot with pedestrians. According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 136 million people will be hitting the malls this Thanksgiving weekend. Distracted driving on Black Friday could result in added holiday expenses, such as fender-benders or injuries. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found about 20 percent of all vehicle collisions happens in parking lots. "People know to be concerned about safety on highways and neighborhood streets, but they forget to be on alert in parking lots," said J.J. Miller, AAA Safety Advisor. “Crashes happen frequently in parking lots and have the potential to be quite dangerous, particularly for pedestrians,�?? she added. Don't let distracted driving get in the way of your Black Friday festivities:

-- Head for the side door. At the mall, everyone wants to park near the stores, especially near the main entrance. But most malls have secondary entrances on the sides, and those entrances usually have less traffic and more convenient spaces.

-- Learn to play the outfield. Outlying areas have more spaces, lighter traffic and a lower risk of collision. But they are sometimes a foot narrower than their more convenient counterparts, so using these spaces can mean a dinged door or difficulty pulling in and out.

-- See and be seen. Use your headlights when scouring parking garages for spaces- even in the daytime. The light will let other cars see you coming around turns and can make fitting into that tight parking space a little easier.

-- Don't trap yourself. Avoid parking between a pair of tall SUVs or minivans where it might be hard for you to back out of the space. If you can’t see well enough to back out safely, get help from one of your passengers.

-- Keep an eye out for pedestrians and small children. Kids can be hard to see in busy parking lots and often make quick, unpredictable movements. When walking to and from the car, hold their hands to keep them safe in traffic.

But for those 138 million people who prefer a more relaxed setting, AAA urges members to take advantage of our discounts and rewards this Cyber Monday. Members will receive a huge percentage off appliances, electronics, toys, gifts and apparel. AAA.com has offers in its entirety.