KEY POINTS:
When it comes to manners, New Zealand drivers have the worst in carparks - they are rude, impatient, steal carparks and break the law.
The 2008 AA Insurance Drivers Index surveyed 2573 drivers aged between 18 to 75.
Over half said they had another driver steal their carpark, while obviously waiting for the park.
The majority of people surveyed, 72 per cent, said they had returned to their car to find it damaged.
Even more, 88 per cent, said the person who did the damage did not leave their contact details as legally required.
AA Insurance deputy general manager Martin Fox said thousands of claims were received each year from drivers who had their cars damaged in carparks, and the person who did the damage not leaving their details.
"This matters because if we don't know who did the damage, we can't contact them or their insurer to manage the claim."
Claims for damaged cars in carparks were quite common, with the most frequent cause being a car reversing into another car parked behind them.
"Often the driver looks around, puts the car into gear and then begins reversing, but while the driver was putting the car in gear another car or person has moved up behind them," said Mr Fox.
Other causes for car park collisions were hitting oncoming vehicles, trolleys, walls and poles.
AA Insurance's guide to car park etiquette:
1 Take it easy. Many carpark accidents are caused by frustration and impatience;
2 When reversing into or out of a park, go slowly and don't just rely on your mirrors - look over your shoulder too, including after you've put the car into gear;
3 Play your part to keep the carpark free of hazards by returning your shopping trolley;
4 Use indicators every time you make a turn;
5 Don't pull out around cars that are waiting to drive into a parking space, be patient and give them room to move;
6 If you are involved in a collision and hit another parked vehicle, do the right thing and leave a note with your details;
7 If you witness a collision, pass on any information you have to the innocent party;
8 If your car is damaged and no one has left a note, report it to the carpark security or mall firm - they may have CCTV which might have captured the incident.
- NZPA
