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Let’s face it, even in Santa Barbara, going to the airport is a big hassle. Crowds, long lines, and waiting around for your flight is no fun at all. And Covid makes it even more frustrating because you have to wear a mask and keep your distance when standing in line.
Now there’s another problem at the Santa Barbara Airport – there aren’t enough parking spaces. That means passengers need to arrive even earlier to avoid missing their flight. The congestion and confusion in the airport parking lot is a serious issue that could cause dangerous accidents involving drivers and pedestrians.
Parking Lots Are Dangerous Places for Pedestrians
Even under normal circumstances, parking lots are one of the most hazardous places for pedestrians. According to the National Safety Council, over 6000 people are injured in parking lots every year, and about 500 people die annually due to parking lot accidents.
A major cause of parking lot accidents is driver distraction. Texting, talking, checking GPS, and looking for a parking space can all distract a driver to the point where they fail to notice pedestrians.
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in parking lots because drivers often neglect to look out for them, especially when they are backing out of a space. Crosswalks aren’t always clearly marked, and when you walk to your car, you will be sharing the area with drivers. Drivers arriving at parking lots tend to drive to fast, especially when they are in a hurry.
Not Enough Spaces to Go Around
There just isn’t enough long-term parking at the Santa Barbara Airport. The airport has 750 long-term spaces that travelers often use for 3 to 4 days or longer. The situation is particularly bad on weekends, when many travelers are forced to rely on offsite parking and take vans to the airport.
Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport a full 90 minutes before boarding, which is two hours before your flight actually departs. When late arriving passengers show up at the airport, fear of missing their flight often causes them to scour the parking lot in search of limited spaces.
The combination of weary travelers eager to get home, people being dropped off, and others hurrying to make their flights causes dangerous congestion, creating unsafe conditions for pedestrians who are walking through the airport parking lot to get to their cars.
Were You Injured in Parking Lot Accident?
At NordstrandBlack PC, our attorneys provide aggressive representation to help you get full compensation to cover the true value of your injuries. Contact our Santa Barbara law firm today by calling (805) 962-2022 for a FREE consultation. We’ll listen to your concerns and go over your options. We’re here to help people put their lives back together after an accident.