Understanding and complying with car park traffic rules

Traffic and parking in car parks are subject to specific rules that many drivers overlook or are unaware of. Yet these shared spaces require special attention to ensure the safety of all users. Whether it's a shopping centre car park, a company car park or a private car park like Beep Valet near Mérignac airport, the basic principles remain the same. This article sets out the main rules of the road to be observed in car parks, for a safer and more serene parking experience.

The basics of the highway code applied to car parks

Although car parks are sometimes considered private spaces, the essential rules of the highway code apply with the same force as on the public highway.

Speed limits are an absolute priority

In car parks, speed is systematically limited, generally between 10 and 20 km/h depending on the configuration. This restriction is not anecdotal: it responds to the need to make these areas safe, where pedestrians and vehicles constantly cross paths. The often reduced visibility (parked vehicles, posts, blind spots) and unpredictability of pedestrian movements (people with shopping to do, children, returning to a vehicle) fully justify this imposed caution. In local airport car parks such as Beep Valet in MérignacThis limitation is all the more important as travellers, often in a hurry or preoccupied with their journey, can be inattentive. Accidents in car parks, even at low speeds, account for a significant percentage of all car accidents reported each year, which is why it is so important to take your foot off the accelerator.

Priorities and specific signs

Contrary to popular belief, the standard priority rules apply in full in car parks. In the absence of specific signage, priority to the right therefore prevails. However, most modern car parks have appropriate signage: stop signs, yield signs, no-ways or one-way signs. These signs must be scrupulously respected, even when traffic is light. In high-capacity car parks, floor markings (directional arrows, continuous or broken lines) generally complement the vertical signs to help traffic flow more smoothly. This is particularly noticeable in private car parks located next to airports, where optimising entry and exit flows can reduce waiting times before shuttle buses leave for the airport.

Parking rules and respecting parking spaces

A fundamental rule in any car park is that parking spaces must be respected. Each space is designed to accommodate a standard vehicle, and overflowing into adjacent spaces or onto the traffic lanes not only contravenes basic rules of courtesy, but can also hinder the general flow of the car park. Special parking spaces (for people with reduced mobility, families, electric vehicles) meet specific needs and their use is strictly regulated. Parking outside the designated areas, particularly in traffic lanes, pedestrian zones or in front of emergency exits, is a serious offence and may, depending on the circumstances, result in a fine or the removal of the vehicle. In private car parks like Beep Valet in MérignacIn many cases, special spaces are reserved for vehicles to check in before they are picked up, with parking time limited to optimise the flow of arrivals.

Specific features of different types of car park

Not all car parks are the same in terms of traffic rules, and each configuration has its own particularities.

Covered and underground car parks: increased vigilance

Covered or underground car parks impose additional constraints: limited height, reduced brightness, special acoustics that can mask the approach of other vehicles. You need to be extra vigilant, particularly at intersections and on bends where visibility is often very limited. The use of dipped headlights is generally recommended, and even compulsory in some establishments. The access ramps to the various levels, which are often narrow and sloping, require particular attention and strict compliance with the indicated priorities. In these confined environments, pollution can also build up quickly: it is therefore advisable to limit engine operation to what is strictly necessary and avoid sudden acceleration.

Park-and-ride facilities and car-sharing areas: flow management

Interchange car parks (P+R) and car-sharing areas experience marked peaks in traffic, generally at peak times. Their configuration is designed to absorb these intermittent flows, with access lanes sized accordingly and sometimes regulation systems (traffic lights, barriers, staff). Compliance with reserved lanes (buses, emergency vehicles) is essential to maintain the overall efficiency of the system. These car parks often work in conjunction with public transport services, which means that timetables and journeys need to be coordinated. In a similar way, private car parks such as Beep Valet, which offer shuttle services to Mérignac airport organise their internal traffic around shuttle departure times, sometimes with specific waiting areas for passengers.

Airport and long-term car parks: specific organisation

Car parks near airports, such as the one operated by Beep Valet near Mérignac, respond to specific issues. The length of parking periods, often lasting several days, means that space has to be optimised and security procedures reinforced. Special attention is paid to passenger and baggage drop-off areas, with reserved spaces and strictly limited parking times. Traffic is organised to facilitate access to terminals and shuttle buses, sometimes with priority lanes for taxis and public transport. Private car parks like Beep Valet offer an interesting alternative, with secure parking within easy reach of the airport and a free shuttle service which gives passengers rapid access to terminals without the traffic constraints of official car parks. However, this type of service requires rigorous organisation of shuttle departures and therefore precise management of incoming vehicle flows.

Responsibilities and preventive behaviour

Beyond the formal rules, traffic in a car park is largely based on responsible and preventive behaviour.

Legal liability and insurance

From a legal point of view, accidents occurring in a car park are subject to the same rules as those on the public highway, with liability being determined according to the circumstances. The joint accident report remains the preferred tool for documenting claims, even minor ones. It is important to note that some insurance companies apply specific excesses for collisions in car parks, which are considered avoidable with normal vigilance. The growing presence of surveillance cameras in modern car parks, such as the Beep Valet car park in MérignacThis can make it easier to establish liability in the event of a collision, but does not relieve drivers of their duty of care.

Anticipation and courtesy at the wheel

Anticipation is the key to smooth traffic flow in car parks. This means keeping an appropriate speed, paying constant attention to the movements of other road users (manoeuvring vehicles, pedestrians, trolleys) and interpreting signs correctly. Courtesy also plays an essential role: letting a pedestrian pass, waiting while another driver manoeuvres, or signalling when a space becomes available are all behaviours that facilitate cohabitation in these shared spaces. In high-volume car parks such as those at airports, this courtesy takes on a particular dimension, as passengers are often in a hurry or stressed by time constraints.

Special precautions and shared vigilance

Some situations call for extra vigilance: reversing manoeuvres, passing in narrow lanes, or driving near pedestrian areas. Blind spots are particularly treacherous in car parks, where obstacles (poles, parked vehicles) can mask the presence of other road users. You should always use your indicators to signal your intentions, even for manoeuvres that might seem obvious. In car parks equipped with shuttle buses, such as Beep Valet, particular attention must be paid to the stopping zones for these vehicles, which are often the source of major pedestrian movements. Drivers must also remain vigilant to weather conditions: a wet or icy surface considerably alters braking distances, even at very low speeds.

Although sometimes perceived as secondary, the rules governing traffic in car parks are in fact a coherent set of principles designed to ensure the safety of all users. From compliance with speed limits to attention to pedestrians and appropriate parking, every aspect contributes to the harmonious use of these shared spaces. Private car parks such as Beep Valet, located near Mérignac airport, are a perfect example of how thoughtful traffic management can improve the overall user experience, by facilitating long-term parking and access to terminals via dedicated shuttles. Whether you're travelling on business or on holiday, respecting the rules of the car park is the first step to a safe and successful journey.