The shocking car park crash stat
A surprising 14 per cent of motorists would only leave a note after hitting a parked car if the damage was significant, our recent poll revealed.
The sa move poll, which was part of a story explaining what you should do after crashing into a parked car, revealed some other surprising stats.
The results
Of the 2792 drivers who responded to the question, 2261 people said they would always leave a note if they hit a parked car.
At the other end of the scale, 38 people said they’d never write a note, and 29 responded that they’d only leave their details if there were witnesses.
Almost 400 drivers said they wouldn’t leave a note unless they thought the damage to the parked vehicle was significant.
What should I do if I hit a parked car?
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said that if a motorist hits a parked vehicle, they should leave their details regardless of how minor they think the damage is to the other car.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve had a major crash on the freeway or scratched someone’s car at the shops, you must stop and provide the relevant information to the other party,” Mr Mountain said.
“If you can’t find the driver of the parked car, leave a note with your name, address and car’s registration.
“It’s also a good idea to take a photo of the damage caused and the note.”
What If I have a serious crash?
The driver in a crash in which a person is killed or injured must stop and render assistance. They must report to a police officer either at the scene or a police station within 90 minutes of the crash.
When the damage bill is likely to be more than $3000, and hasn’t resulted in a death or injury, the crash must be reported to police as soon as possible. The crash must be reported no later than 24 hours after the crash.
If you’re not sure how much damage has been caused, or you’re planning to make an insurance claim, then it’s best to report it to police.
In some cases, you can report the crash here.
What are the consequences if I don’t report a crash?
If a driver fails to report a crash where there is more than $3000 in damage, they face a maximum penalty of $1250 or imprisonment for up to three months.
It’s also an offence to not provide personal details or false and misleading information.
“At the end of the day, honesty pays,” said Mr Mountain. “If you drive off after hitting a parked car but there’s a witness or CCTV footage, you could be treated the same as a driver who hasn’t stopped after a crash and has failed to exchange details.”