As the Christmas shopping mania gathers pace, shoppers find themselves under pressure as they navigate crowded roads and car parks, seeking that last available space. They enter the fray, to find that last 'must have toy' at Argos, and that Chocolate Christmas Pud at M&S. With only a 2 point rise in blood pressure they survive the queues and crowds. Only to find a dented bumper with a three inch paint scuff, and no note left on their car windscreen from the guilty party.
Is anyone surprised that stress levels rise at Christmas?
Car Parking Hot Spot Survey
A parking study, commissioned by RAC Direct Insurance, shows car park prangs are costing UK motorists £2.4 billion each year. This study found that more than half of all motorists have either bumped another car, or had their own car pranged in a car park. Supermarkets being the most common places for the accidents to occur.
While car park accidents may be 'minor', they are not cheap. The average payment to fix the scrapes and dents is £293.57.
Bump and Run
A tenth of UK motorists admit to 'forgetting' to leave a note after a car park prang, with various excuses being given.
Tit for Tat - A quarter of male motorists, and one in ten female drivers, do a runner because their car has been a victim of a previous hit and run so they don't feel like they need to leave their own contact details
Is it worse at Christmas?
The long delay experienced by drivers before they even get to the shops, with the overcrowded roads, leading into the town centres leaves their stress levels sky high. Couple this with the problem of finding a space in the tight car park where the space size seems to shrink each year. Is it any wonder that tempers fray quickly and short cuts are taken? This lack of care leads to an increase in the car park mayhem.
Avoiding the Bumps
- Park away from other cars, often the extremities of the car park can be empty. This means a longer walk, but a better chance of preserving your car's integrity.
- Avoid the trolley run in supermarket car park as damage is often caused by struggling pedestrians manhandling an overfull trolley past your vehicle.
- Take care when parking, don't try to squeeze into an awkward tight spot.
- Take special care when reversing, is another car also reversing?
- If you drive a Mercedes R- Class, bad luck, the average parking bay is 2.4m by 4.8 m and the car is nearly 2.2m wide and 5.2m long. I suggest taking the bus instead.
Getting it fixed
Ok the worst has happened, what next, how do I get it repaired.
Look for a local SMART repair technician on www.look4carcare.co.uk, they are skilled in repairing small scrapes and dents, without the need for a full panel re-spray, thus keeping the cost down.
For example the costs for bumper damage can start at £60. See www.trimlineswindon.co.uk/prices.htm for some example costs. Please be aware that costs can vary according to the amount of damage and the company undertaking the work. Always request a written quote first.
For further details contact
Barbara Jeffers
Tel: 0779 279 3511
E-mail: info@look4carcare.co.uk
http://www.look4carcare.co.uk
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