Providing your customers and employees with access to a crosswalk can be a simple and effective way to funnel traffic from a parking lot into your retail store. Unfortunately, crosswalks can pose a serious safety threat for pedestrians who might be struck by drivers passing through the crosswalk without paying attention.

If you want to improve the safety of your crosswalks, here are three things that you can do to reduce accidents in the future.

1. Make sure your crosswalks are clearly marked.

One of the easiest things that you can do to prevent serious injury in one of your crosswalks is ensure that these crossings are clearly marked. You should regularly paint the lines inside the crosswalk so that they don't become faded and difficult for drivers to see.

You might also want to consider investing in some bright orange flags that pedestrians can carry with them through the crosswalk to help draw the attention of passing drivers. Crosswalks that are clearly marked will be easier for drivers to see, allowing drivers time to come to a complete stop in order to allow pedestrians to safely cross into your retail store.

2. Study foot traffic patterns.

Another simple thing that you can do to improve the efficiency and safety of your crosswalks is study the foot traffic patterns moving from the parking lot to your retail store. Pay close attention to the areas where pedestrians may be crossing busy driving lanes without using a crosswalk.

If a lot of people are crossing in similar locations outside of designated areas, it could be an indication that you need to relocate your crosswalk or add another crosswalk to accommodate foot traffic. Proper placement of your crosswalk will help to improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers in the future.

3. Install an electronic signal.

If your retail location sees a significant amount of foot traffic throughout the day, it can be beneficial to install an electronic signal at your crosswalk in order to control the flow of traffic.

An electronic signal ensures that drivers and pedestrians take turns moving through the crosswalk, and the signal can help to prevent confusion that can lead to serious injury.

Finding simple ways to make your crosswalks safer can be beneficial when it comes to improving the accessibility of your retail location. Be sure that your crosswalks are clearly marked, that you place your crosswalks in the right location, and that you consider an electronic signal to help you control movement through your crosswalks to improve the safety of these pedestrian lanes in the future. Contact companies like Lanelight for more tips.