Half of B.C. drivers more stressed in parking lots than on road: ICBC

A new report from ICBC shows that over 50 per cent of B.C. drivers feel more stressed and uncomfortable when driving in parking lots than on the open road.

According to a survey conducted by Ipsos for ICBC, 51 per cent of drivers answered that they feel more stressed when navigating a busy parking lot, and 25 per cent said they’re either ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ nervous driving in a parking lot during busier times.

ICBC says a lot of the stress that drivers are feeling can be attributed to parking lots being unpredictable and chaotic, with other drivers not following speed limits, unforeseen weather conditions, or pedestrians not paying attention when walking to their destinations.

Seven out of 10 drivers say they have been in or witnessed a crash in a parking lot.

“People are in a hurry; people are not paying attention; I think people are stressed — you really have to be aware,” one driver told The Leader Spirit.

In December of last year, there were a reported 7,500 vehicle incidents in parking lots throughout the province, accounting for over 30 per cent of all crashes.

Jerry Boal, Driver Licensing Office Manager for ICBC, says lots have more pressures than the average road scenario.

“It’s busier; lots of cars; the conditions could be raining, could be snow, possibly; it’s darker, earlier. So these conditions aren’t favourable for drivers,” said Boal.

ICBC suggests drivers park farther away from their destination, use signals, and monitor their speed to minimize stress. The company also recommends backing into parking stalls — a practice that almost half (47 per cent) of drivers in B.C. say they already do.

“Backing into a spot is actually going to reduce the amount of your vehicle’s at-risk when you are pulling out. It’s also going to give you a way better vantage point when you are to leave your parking stall, because now you can see everything in front of you,” Boal explained. 

“While backing [out], you have to make sure you’re doing your 360 [degree] checks; your mirror checks. Lots of fancy cars have the new features on there, but you still got to do your observation.”