30/07/2005

A report released today reveals that 13 million* (40 per cent) sneaky drivers have crashed into other parked cars and driven off without owning up. 

The research from car insurer Churchill** shows that a quarter of Brits didn’t even give their crime another thought.  Twelve per cent admitted to leaving the scene because they hadn’t been seen and could get away with it. One fifth of drivers did get out of the car to have a look, but soon drove off if there was no visible damage. 

A fifth of bump and run drivers do have a conscience, however, as they said they were wracked with guilt afterwards, so much so that eight per cent went back to the car to leave a note.  A further seven per cent of offenders were worried that they had been spotted or recorded on CCTV camera.

Despite the tendency to try to get away with it themselves, when the tables are turned, 44 per cent of drivers admitted to being angry when someone hit their own car and drove off.  Five per cent did say they felt like they deserved it for doing it to someone else.

Darren McCauley, Head of Car Insurance at Churchill said, "Prang and run accidents are common, but it can be distressing to find that someone has damaged your car and not owned up to it.  It is a crime and even if drivers think they’ve got away with it, many car parks now have CCTV cameras, which can catch them out."

The research shows that parking is the most common cause of these accidents with the majority happening in the supermarket car park.

Churchill’s top five 'prang and run' accidents

• Hitting another car when parking
• Opened the car door on to another car
• Hit a wing mirror when driving down a tight residential street
• Reversing out of driveways into another car
• Bashed/scraped by supermarket trolley

"Drivers should choose where they park their car carefully. Whilst there is often nothing you can do about prang and run drivers, motorists should where possible choose car parks with CCTV cameras.  In supermarket car parks, it's always a good idea to park away from the trolley bays." said McCauley

Other findings from the research

• Both sexes agree that men (75 per cent) are more likely to 'prang and run' than women (25 per cent)
• East Anglian drivers are the worst offenders with 80% admitting to having hit another car and driving off.  Drivers in North West are least likely to do this.
• Drivers in Scotland suffer guilt pangs the most with 43 per cent saying they felt guilty after leaving the scene. Only 10 per cent of Welsh drivers said too felt guilty the same.

For more information please contact:

Frances Browning
Churchill Insurance
020 8313 5965
pressoffice@churchill.com