Parking Lot Safety Tips for Venues and Arenas

Big events like concerts, sports games, or festivals can be positively packed with energy and movement, especially before and after the events themselves. Everyone from performers and vendors to employees and ticketholders is on the move all at once, potentially leading to confusion and safety issues.

According to reports from CBS News, around 20% of car accidents happen in parking facilities like lots or garages. That’s in the neighborhood of 50,000 incidents every year, some of which involve serious injuries or even fatalities. Accidents can also expose venues and event teams to liability.

Common Risks in Parking Lots

Although all parking facilities present safety risks to be aware of, venue parking comes attached to some unique situations to prepare for. Here are some key examples to know.

Distracted driving

Although most drivers understand how important it is to give driving their full attention while en route to a venue, most let their guard down once they reach the parking lot. They consider their journey complete at that point and instinctively relax.

As a result, they might let their attention wander. They fiddle with the radio or start gathering their belongings. According to the National Safety Council, up to 66% of drivers may reach for their phones and make a call at this point. Those unfamiliar with the venue may focus so hard on finding a parking space that they ignore things happening around them.

Visibility issues

Problems like poor lighting or a lack of high-vis traffic control equipment make it harder for people to find their way around. They also make parking lot accidents more likely, as it’s easier to miss important signage, pedestrians, or other vehicles. People can become confused, leaving them prone to erratic decision-making or abrupt movements.

Patchy parking lot security

Too little security staff, a lack of coverage, or insufficient security equipment raise the likelihood of many different event parking safety risks. Theft or vandalism incidents are more likely. So are physical altercations, security breaches, and similar incidents. The bigger your event, the more likely such occurrences become.

Possible collisions

There are countless reasons a collision might occur in an event parking lot, garage, or other facility. Attendees on foot walk between vehicles or come out of nowhere from behind parked cars. Insufficient signage can leave drivers without important information they need to safely navigate the lot.

Some drivers or pedestrians may even outright ignore posted speed limits or safety directives if they’re running late, desperate to find a parking space, or in a rush to exit the facility. 

Tips and Best Practices for Better Parking Lot Safety

Knowing the specific risks associated with venue and arena parking is part of what goes into a comprehensive parking lot safety plan. The rest is about understanding how to mitigate those risks and keep people safe. Here are a few expert tips to get started with.

Implement adequate signage

Not everyone attending or working at an event will be familiar with the venue where it’s taking place. Attendees may be arriving from well out of town. Event staff may consist of temporary workers and performers who’ve never been to that facility before. Adequate signage is important for helping them safely find their way around.

Implement ample safety signage and wayfinding options that guarantee that everyone present understands where to go and how traffic should flow. Make sure hazards, off-limits areas, and key venue features (e.g. restrooms or exits) are clearly marked.

Use appropriate traffic control equipment

Traffic control equipment like cones, barricades, speed bumps, and more help keep event traffic flowing safely. This is especially the case for large venues, major events, or cases where those present might not know their way around. Some options to consider include the following:

• Traffic cones and delineators help organize traffic, create temporary lanes, or physically block access to hazards and restricted areas.
• Traffic Barricades can be used to control both vehicle traffic flow and foot traffic.
• Speed bumps and similar tools help control speeding in parking facilities and protect pedestrians by providing drivers with important sensational cues.

Combine parking lot safety options like these with clear signage to make sure everyone present can safely find their way around without confusion.

Protect Cables and Other Hazards

Event parking areas often need to be adapted based on the size and layout of the venue, especially when accommodating different types of productions. In some cases, this might mean running electrical cables, audio lines, or hoses through the parking lot itself, creating potential tripping hazards and exposing equipment to damage.

Cable protectors are a simple solution that addresses both concerns. They shield critical lines from vehicle and pedestrian traffic while reducing the chance of slips and trips. Using cable protectors also gives your team more flexibility in how you configure your space, especially when outdoor areas need to double as staging grounds, vendor zones, or access lanes for equipment.

Install ample lighting

Adequate lighting supports maximum event parking safety on multiple levels, especially at night or under low-visibility conditions. Lighting helps guarantee drivers and pedestrians alike can see potential hazards, important signage, as well as other vehicles, or nearby people on foot.

Options like LED floodlighting and security lights also help deter theft, discourage vandalism, and make it easier for security staff to keep an eye on things.

Equip staff with high-vis apparel

All venue parking staff and security personnel should wear appropriate PPE, like high-visibility vests, jackets, and similar items to reduce collision risk. High-vis apparel also helps attendees who may need help easily spot key event workers.

Consider additional equipment that may help event workers, security guards, and other personnel do their jobs more efficiently. Examples include flashlights and communication devices that make it easy to stay in touch. 

Coordinate security patrols

Put together a plan for keeping venue lots, parking garages, and other parking areas under surveillance before, during, and after the event. Decide which areas need more attention, and coordinate foot patrol schedules to guarantee adequate coverage.

Consider implementing additional solutions like security cameras with the ability to recognize license plates to keep parking areas even safer. Post signage to warn potential thieves or vandals of security measures in place.

Additional Considerations for Event Parking

A solid parking lot safety plan is about more than just basics. A successful event also leaves attendees and staff with a positive overall impression of how things went. Here are a few more key considerations to help support an all-around safe, positive experience for everyone:

• Make sure attendees are fully aware of parking lot rules, security requirements, available parking resources, etc. Inform them in advance where necessary and post supporting signage where appropriate.
• Keep congestion to a minimum by implementing parking solutions like valet parking, shuttle services, or supplementary parking options when it makes sense.
• Make sure parking facilities are fully accessible to attendees with disabilities, special needs guests, etc. with ample disabled parking provided.
• Consider pre-selling parking passes to keep traffic flowing and prevent bottlenecks from developing around entrances.
• Deploy additional staff like parking attendants and security personnel during high-profile or exceptionally large events to assist as needed and keep everything orderly.

Preparedness Is the Key to Thorough Event Parking Safety

Facilitating venue parking areas that are safe, secure, and efficient is all about being adequately prepared. Implement appropriate traffic control equipment and signage, train your staff thoroughly, and have a contingency plan in place for managing emergencies.

You’ll also want to extend your efforts to the general flow of traffic near and through your venue for best results. Check out our thorough guide to managing traffic flow in and around venues for important tips on team coordination, managing road closures, choosing the right traffic control equipment, and more!