Ensuring Safety in School Parking Lots: A Comprehensive Guide 

School parking lot safety is a crucial part of creating a safe, welcoming environment for learning. When students, staff and visitors come to your school, navigating where they need to go and parking is the first step in their journey. 

With so many people moving through an area and cars all around, it’s crucial to have the right safety measures in place to protect each person in your school parking lot. With 46% of students getting to school by car, and half or more drivers admitting they may be distracted while driving for a variety of reasons, school parking lots and area streets are potentially dangerous for students, staff and families. And particularly for high schools, sleep-deprived teens can increase the risk.  

Big ideas, such as moving high school start times, can decrease the risk of accidents in school parking lots. Simpler, more practical solutions, from signs and clear markings to staff training and student safety and emergency protocols, are all pieces of the puzzle to help maintain safety. Below, you’ll find simple, practical steps you can take to create that safe environment. 

 Table of Contents

• Safety Measures and Best Practices 
• Training and Security Measures
• School Parking Lot Rules
• Parking Lot Management System
• FAQs

Key Takeaways  

School parking lot safety hinges on several key factors: 

• Post clear signs and markings: Ensure your parking lot has signs to direct traffic, designate specific areas and show drivers and pedestrians how to safely navigate the area. 
• Properly train staff: Make sure staff who help with parking are trained to identify and respond to situations. Provide training in areas like behavioral surveillance of potential threats and crisis management. 
• Establish and display clear rules: Set expectations for safe behavior, then clearly display and communicate these rules. 
• Manage parking: Choose a parking lot management system that promotes safety, increases efficiency and maximizes revenue. 

The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) offers detailed information and tips on school campus parking lot safety. Pedestrian safety and traffic safety on school property are affected by traffic off school grounds as well. Learn more about school-related traffic congestion and how to address it in your area. 

Safety Measures and Best Practices

Implementing Effective Signage and Traffic Flow

When it comes to managing school parking lot safety, clear signage is paramount. By strategically placing signs that direct traffic and designate specific areas, schools can significantly reduce confusion and minimize the risk of accidents. Opt for eye-catching, easy-to-read signage that even the most distracted driver can't miss. 

To further enhance traffic flow, consider using traffic cones and bollards. These versatile tools can help guide vehicles, mark restricted areas and protect pedestrians from wayward cars. 

Enhancing Safety with Proper Equipment and Markings 

In addition to signage, schools can leverage various equipment and markings to improve parking lot safety. For example, use parking lot stencils to clearly define parking spaces and pedestrian walkways, ensuring that everyone knows where they should be. 

Speed bumps are another effective tool for managing traffic speed and preventing accidents. By forcing drivers to slow down, these bumps reduce the likelihood of collisions and give pedestrians more time to react. Delineator posts can also be used to separate parking areas and create visual barriers, further enhancing safety. 

Training and Security Measures

Staff Training for Enhanced Security 

By providing comprehensive security training, schools can equip their employees with the knowledge and skills they need to handle emergencies and monitor student movement effectively. 

Consider incorporating behavior-based surveillance techniques into your training program. This approach focuses on identifying suspicious or potentially dangerous behaviors, allowing staff to intervene before incidents escalate.  

Here are some techniques schools can use: 

1. Establish a baseline

• Observe and document normal behavior patterns in the parking lot 
• This helps security staff recognize deviations from the norm 

2. Train staff to recognize suspicious behaviors, such as

• Unusual body language or movements 
• Loitering or lingering in the parking lot without a clear purpose 
• Attempts to avoid security cameras or personnel 
• Carrying suspicious packages or items 

3. Implement a reporting system: 

• Encourage students and staff to report any suspicious behavior they witness 
• Provide clear guidelines on how and when to report incidents 
• Ensure that reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly 

4. Use technology: 

• Install surveillance cameras with behavior analytics capabilities 
• These systems can detect abnormal movements or activities and alert security staff, such as: 
• Aggressive driving or speeding 
• Individuals entering restricted areas 
• Sudden changes in crowd behavior 

5. Conduct regular patrols: 

• Have security staff actively monitor the parking lot, especially during peak times 
• Randomize patrol patterns to avoid predictability 
• Engage with individuals to deter potential threats and build rapport 

6. Foster a culture of vigilance: 

• Encourage a "See Something, Say Something" mentality among students and staff 
• Regularly communicate the importance of reporting suspicious behavior 
• Provide ongoing training and reminders to keep safety top-of-mind 

Crisis Management Preparedness and Training

In addition to surveillance, crisis management training can help staff respond quickly and effectively in an emergency, minimizing the impact on students and faculty. If you’re looking for a strong crisis planning course for a school, OSHA delivers a comprehensive course for educators. You can access it here.  

School Parking Lot Rules 

Best Practices for Creating Rules

When it comes to establishing school parking lot rules, clarity and comprehensiveness are key. Follow these best practices to create effective guidelines: 

Keep rules clear and concise: 

• Use simple language that is easy to understand 
• Avoid jargon or overly complex terminology 
• Ensure that rules are specific and leave no room for misinterpretation 

Cover all essential aspects: 

• Include rules and procedures for parking lot entry and exit 
• Specify designated parking areas for students, staff and visitors 
• Address speed limits and traffic flow within the parking lot 
• Prohibit dangerous behaviors like reckless driving or horseplay 

Align rules with local laws and regulations: 

• Ensure that parking lot rules comply with any relevant local or state laws 
• Consult with legal experts or local authorities if necessary 

Involve stakeholders in the rule-making process: 

• Seek input from students, staff and parents when creating rules 
• Consider their perspectives and concerns to foster a sense of ownership and buy-in 

Regularly review and update rules: 

• Assess the effectiveness of current rules and make adjustments as needed 
• Stay informed about changes in local laws or school policies that may impact parking lot rules 

Best Practices for Enforcing Rules

Having well-defined parking lot rules is only half the battle — consistent enforcement is crucial to maintain a safe environment. Here are some best practices for enforcing school parking lot rules: 

Clearly communicate rules to all stakeholders: 

• Distribute parking lot rules to students, staff and parents through various channels (e.g., email, handbooks, signage) 
• Ensure that everyone understands the consequences of violating these rules 

Implement a fair and consistent enforcement system: 

• Apply rules uniformly to all individuals, regardless of their position or status 
• Avoid showing favoritism or making exceptions that could undermine the system's integrity 

Use technology to support enforcement: 

• Implement a parking permit system to manage vehicle registration and identification 
• Use surveillance cameras to monitor parking lot activity and detect violations 
• Consider using automated ticketing systems for efficient and unbiased enforcement 

Train staff on enforcement procedures: 

• Provide clear guidelines on how to handle parking lot rule violations 
• Equip staff with the tools and resources they need to enforce rules effectively 
• Offer ongoing training to ensure consistent enforcement practices 

Establish a clear appeals process: 

• Allow individuals to contest parking lot citations or penalties through a fair and transparent process 
• Ensure that appeals are reviewed by an impartial panel or authority 
• Communicate the appeals process clearly to all stakeholders 

Sample School Parking Lot Rules

If you’re looking to develop rules for your school parking lot, here is a sample list that our team created.  

Vehicle Registration: 

• All vehicles parked on school property must be registered with the school administration. 
• Each registered vehicle will be issued a parking permit, which must be clearly displayed on the vehicle's rear-view mirror or dashboard. 
• Unregistered vehicles may be subject to towing at the owner's expense. 

Designated Parking Areas: 

• Students must park only in areas specifically designated for student parking. 
• Faculty and staff must park in their assigned areas, as indicated by signage or parking lot markings. 
• Visitors must park in designated visitor spots or obtain temporary parking permits from the school office. 

Traffic Flow and Speed Limits: 

• Drivers must obey all posted speed limits and traffic signs in the parking lot. 
• The maximum speed limit in the parking lot is 10 mph, unless otherwise indicated. 
• Drivers must yield to pedestrians and follow designated traffic flow patterns. 

Prohibited Behaviors: 

• Reckless driving, speeding or any other dangerous behavior is strictly prohibited. 
• Horseplay, loitering or congregating in the parking lot is not allowed. 
• The use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal substances in the parking lot is strictly forbidden. 

Parking Lot Hours and Access: 

• The school parking lot is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM on school days, unless otherwise specified. 
• Overnight parking is not permitted without prior approval from the school administration. 
• Access to the parking lot may be restricted during special events or emergency situations. 

Enforcement and Consequences: 

• Violations of parking lot rules may result in citations, fines or other disciplinary actions, as determined by the school administration. 
• Repeated violations may lead to the revocation of parking privileges or other escalated consequences. 
• The school reserves the right to tow vehicles that are parked illegally or pose a safety hazard, at the owner's expense. 

Liability and Damage: 

• The school is not responsible for any theft, damage or vandalism that occurs in the parking lot. 
• Vehicle owners park at their own risk and are encouraged to take appropriate precautions, such as locking their vehicles and not leaving valuables inside. 

Parking Lot Management System

Why Schools Need Parking Lot Management Systems

Implementing comprehensive parking lot management systems can revolutionize the way schools approach safety and efficiency. Let's explore three key benefits of these systems: 

1) Security

Having a school parking management system can help your staff know who is parking where. It can also keep unwanted trespassers off school grounds. 

2) Administrative Efficiency (Time Savings)

Managing a school parking lot can be a time-consuming task, but a management system can streamline the process. By automating tasks such as issuing permits and processing payments, schools can save valuable time and resources. Implementing digital parking permits for schools is one example of how an online system can automate this administrative task. This allows staff to focus on more critical aspects of their roles, improving overall efficiency.  

3) Revenue for School

In addition to enhancing safety and efficiency, a parking lot management system can also generate revenue for schools. By implementing paid parking for events or daily use, schools can create a new income stream. These funds can be reinvested into the school, supporting various programs and initiatives that benefit students and faculty alike. 

At Vanco, we’ve implemented parking management systems for schools across the country. We’ve seen districts generate from $10,000 to $26,000 a year by charging for parking in their high school parking lots. This revenue helps their general funds stay out of the red. 

FAQs

What are the most effective strategies to reduce accidents in school parking lots?

To reduce accidents in school parking lots, a combination of strategies is essential.  

• Implementing clear signage and markings 
• Managing traffic flow with equipment like speed bumps 
• Placing delineator posts and providing staff training on safety protocols are all crucial steps 
• Maintaining the parking lot regularly, such as ensuring proper lighting and repairing any damage to help prevent accidents 

What equipment is essential for maintaining safety in school parking lots?

Essential equipment for maintaining school parking lot safety includes: 

• Clear signage 
• Traffic cones 
• Bollards 
• Parking lot stencils 
• Speed bumps 
• Delineator posts 

These tools help direct traffic, designate areas and control vehicle speed, reducing the risk of accidents. Additionally, providing staff with communication devices, safety vests and flashlights can improve their ability to monitor the area and respond to incidents effectively.