Would you hit and run after denting someone else’s car?
Ever reversed out of a tight parking space only to feel the tell-tale crunch of your car accidentally scraping another vehicle?
An accidental collision like this might seem like an unwanted inevitability from time-to-time, but how would you react if this happened on your next shopping trip?
Well, according to a new survey, nearly one in seven (14.3%) UK drivers wouldn’t admit to leaving a dent in someone else’s car, choosing to simply drive off if no-one spotted the incident.
And while a welcome three-quarters (74.3%) said they’d stop and leave their details, a worrying 11.4% refused to answer the question, we personally think their silence speaks volumes.
Breaking the law
According to the Road Traffic Act (1998), you’re actually breaking the law if you fail to stop and provide your contact details if you accidentally dent someone else’s vehicle.
The Act states: “If you’re driving a motorised vehicle and are involved in an accident which causes damage or injury to another person, vehicle, property or animal, you must stop and give your vehicle registration along with your name and address to ‘anyone with reasonable grounds to be asking for those details’.”
That means if you have a small prang when you’re next doing your weekly shop, you’ll need to swap details with the owner of the car you hit, leaving a note on the windscreen if needed.
This information should include your contact details, the vehicle owner’s details (if different), your car’s registration number and insurance information.
Driving etiquette ignored
Harrison Woods, Managing Director of YourParkingSpace, said the survey shows a significant number of UK motorists are prepared to steer clear of driving etiquette and simply drive off.
“The UK’s roads must be littered with dented cars given the results from our survey, meaning many millions of motorists need to practice their parking skills.”
He added: “The good news is that the majority would intervene if they saw a car being dented, putting those people to shame who would not leave their contact details if they had not been seen.”
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