ICBC: Keep the hustle and bustle in the malls, not the parking lots

December 10, 2025

The holiday season has arrived, and B.C. parking lots are packed tighter than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. Landing a parking spot can feel like a festive miracle, complete with stress and chaos.

Last year, an ICBC survey conducted by Ipsos found that over half of drivers (51%) feel more stressed navigating a busy parking lot than driving on the open road. Seven in 10 also reported being involved in, or witnessing, a collision or near-miss in a parking lot.

Last December alone saw nearly 26,000 crashes across B.C., the highest monthly total of the year, with almost 8,000 of them happening in parking lots, accounting for 30% of all December collisions.

“Parking lots get especially hectic in December, but the good news is that small changes can have a big impact,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC road safety manager. “When drivers slow down, stay alert and back into their spots, they make parking safer and the holidays a little less stressful.”

ICBC’s top tips for navigating busy parking lots:

• Back it in. Only 47% of drivers reverse into stalls, yet it’s one of the safest moves you can make. Backing in gives you better visibility when leaving and reduces your exposure to traffic. Use your mirrors and shoulder check—don’t rely only on your backup camera.

• Slow down. More people and cars can mean more surprises. Driving at a safe speed gives you more time to react.

• Keep scanning. Watch for signs, pedestrians, and vehicles hidden between parked cars. Give space to drivers reversing into their parking spot.

• Avoid the chaos. If you can, park farther away in a less crowded area. It’s safer and less stressful.

• Check your lights and signals. Make sure they work and use them, so others know what you intend to do.

Check out video of ICBC driver licensing office manager, Jerry Boal showing how to successfully back into a parking spot on our Instagram page.