Accident Exchange has undertaken a survey into car park collisions, and has discovered that the total cost of these accidents now tops £175 million.
It is estimated that around 125,000 car park collisions occur each year; with 2011 racking up the highest number to date with 130,750 accidents - 358 per day. Statistics show that while most car park crashes are low speed impacts resulting in bumped doors, bumpers and popped tyres, the average bodywork and mechanical repair cost is £1,428.
So the reason for the number of crashes? Accident Exchange believes that tight car parks and people rushing to park are some of the causes; however, figures suggest that tight parking spots are the main culprits.
Over the past few decades, cars have grown. A Volkswagen Golf is 25 per cent larger today than it was in its original incarnation, as is the Ford Fiesta; but parking spaces have remained roughly the same. This means that when parked, a Golf owner will have barely a foot either side of the car; making manoeuvring and getting out very tight.
Experts say that while no in-car gadgetry is currently available to stop these accidents; automated braking systems could very well be the answer in the future. They also believe however that our reliance on parking aids such as sensors and cameras are making us less aware of our surroundings, and worse drivers as a result.
James Giddings - 31 Oct 2012