One in two drivers have had their car damaged while parked and have been unable to find the person responsible, according to new research.
The data comes from a new survey which found that 56 per cent of drivers discovered their vehicle was damaged after parking in public.
It also highlighted how nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of motorists would be honest if they damaged someone else’s car.
Under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act, drivers must stop if they cause damage to another vehicle or property.
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Failing to stop at a vehicle collision could see drivers fined £5,000
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Failing to stop at the scene could lead to the driver being prosecuted for careless driving, failing to stopand failing to reportan incident.
The punishment could result in a hefty fine of up to £5,000 for failing to contact the police at the scene of an incident.
For the most serious cases, leaving an accident where someone is seriously injured, drivers could face disqualification from driving and imprisonment.
Brannan Coady, CEO at YourParkingSpace, explained that the research shows that the majority of drivers have “fallen victim to hit-and-run car damage, highlighting a major issue in today’s parking environments”.
He said that with unoccupied vehicles around, busy car parks often become “hotspots” for such incidents which create opportunities for dishonest drivers to cause damage and “simply drive away without leaving a trace”.
Meanwhile, the data also flagged that six per cent of drivers who caused damage to another vehicle didn’t own up to it.
According to What Car?, if a vehicle is damaged in a parking facility, legally, car park operators cannot be blamed.
They are only liable for damage or loss that has been caused by the “negligence of the company or its staff, and car owners need to be able to prove this”.
Due to the strict terms and conditions regarding liability, many drivers can be at fault for their own vehicle rather than the parking operator.
The group advised motorists to always, where possible, use car parks with security features, such as secure entrances, security guards and CCTV cameras.
Drivers should also check up on the terms and conditions of the car park operator prior to parking on its site.
Mark Llewellyn, managing director at bodywork repair firm Revive! Auto Innovations, added: “When damage occurs, motorists are left out of pocket and frustrated, especially when it is caused by someone who fails to take responsibility.
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According to What Car? car park operators cannot be blamed for damage to vehicles
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“It’s a stark reminder of the challenges drivers face in maintaining their vehicle’s condition in busy parking environments.”
