How to avoid a major last-minute holiday-shopping risk

One of the year's busiest shopping days has arrived. The runup to the Christmas weekend is a time when crowds of people head out to stores for last-minute gifts and ingredients for their memorable holiday dishes and tables. That means an increased risk of auto accidents, and not just on the roads. The National Safety Council estimates that as many as two-thirds of drivers may be pulling into shopping centers distracted, and one in five car accidents happens in a parking lot or parking garage. What's more, at least 60,000 are injured and 500 or more die in the 50,000 plus crashes in parking lots and garages each year, the NSC reports. The slideshow above illustrates tips from AAA on how to safely navigate busy parking lots without having an accident.   It's easy to forget about the dangers of parking lots in the holiday rush. By staying alert and taking a few precautions, AAA says, you can avoid accidents and injuries. As a bonus, parking lot smarts will save you time, energy and gas dollars, which most of us can't afford to waste this holiday season. See also:

• The 10 most common Christmas Day claims
• The worst U.S. states for winter-holiday driving
• We left Kevin 'Home Alone.' Will travel insurance cover this?