50% of motorists drive away after hitting a parked car
Recent government figures have shown that as many as 50% of motorists would drive away without leaving their contact details if they hit a parked car. Churchill Insurance asked 1,300 motorists whether they would leave their details if they thought they could get away with not doing so and whether this had ever happened to them. The findings showed that around half had been a victim of a motorist who thinks that they can ‘get away with it’ and who has left the scene without leaving their phone number, in order to avoid a car insurance claim against them.
In 2003 just fewer than 30,000 people were prosecuted for offences relating to failing to stop, provide details or report an car accident. Reports also indicate that women are more likely to stop and leave their details than men and that younger drivers are less likely to own up to hitting a parked car than older drivers.
Untraced drivers cost the average motorist an extra £30 a year on their car insurance premiums. This covers the cost of repairs and compensation for car owners whose vehicles have been damaged and the perpetrator is untraceable. If the driver has fully comprehensive car insurance then they can claim on their own policy but run the risk of losing their no claims bonus.