More than one in three (38%) Australians admitted to hitting another car with their car door, with male drivers (41%) being a more likely culprit, according to dash cam manufacturer Nextbase's latest report.
The report, conducted by YouGov on behalf of Nextbase, surveyed 1,199 people in Australia aged 18 and over from November 26 to December 8, 2021. It found that 35 to 44-year-olds experienced the most hits, with 30% admitting to having hit a parked car. Moreover, 17% said they had experienced a hit-and-run parking accident, with men more likely to have been involved (19% versus 14% of female drivers).
With these concerning figures, Nextbase ambassador and Supercar driver David Reynolds calls on Australians to remain patient and concentrate behind the wheel.
“It doesn't matter your speed when you are behind the wheel of a car; you need to be fully concentrating all the time. Plan your trip and leave early to ensure you are not rushed and think clearly when on the road,” Reynolds said. “Whilst people might think a little bump on another car is minor, the cost and inconvenience of fixing this [are] significant. A dash cam is great at recording your car's surroundings, which can help with your insurance claims.”
Ben Sinica, head of territory for Australia and New Zealand at Nextbase, commented: “The parking mode in Nextbase dash cams has recorded incredible accidents around the world. We rely so much on our vehicles; it is important we look after them and are respectful of other vehicles on the road. A dash cam is a great way to help protect yourself and record what you see on the road.”
Among the respondents, 67% said they would feel more comfortable with a dash cam recording in their cars. Meanwhile, 71% said they would feel more encouraged to purchase a dash cam if they would get a discount on their car insurance.
Nextbase released the car park study after its April report revealing concerning road safety data in Australia.
