BLOKES BREAK BUMPERS: MEN ARE 50% MORE LIKELY TO HIT ANOTHER CAR WHEN PARKING
- More than one in five (21%) men hit another car when parking in the last 12 months, compared to just under one in six (14%) women
- An alarming two-fifths (40%) of 18-34-year-olds hit another vehicle whilst getting into a parking space within the last year
- 23% of Brits confess to hitting nearby obstacles recently, despite 45% of the nation rating themselves as proficient parkers
- More than one in 10 (11%) motorists park in the middle of two bays so they have space either side
- Fear of parking prejudice is rife in the UK as the average Brit will park an additional 3-minutes’ walk away to avoid having an audience
Male drivers are 50% more likely to hit another car when parking compared to female drivers, according to new data compiled by Forbes Advisor.
The research looks at Brits’ parking blunders and gripes, revealing over a fifth (21%) of men have hit another car when parking in the last 12 months. Comparatively, a much smaller percentage of women (14%) have done the same in the last year.
When breaking down the data, disparity amongst age groups was even more apparent. 40% of 18-34-year-olds admit to bumping another car on their way into a space, more than twice as much as 35-54-year-olds (16%).
Parking proficiency across the UK varies significantly, with some cities needing more work than others. Those living in Belfast may need to be cautious of other drivers as over one in four residents (26%) have hit or scraped another car while parking in the last 12 months – making it the fender bender capital of the UK. Following closely behind is Glasgow (23%), London (23%) and Leeds (21%).
Top 5 cities for parking accidents in the UK
| Rank | City | Residents that have hit another car when parking in the last year (%) |
| 1 | Belfast | 26% |
| =2 | Glasgow / London | 23% |
| 4 | Leeds | 21% |
| 5 | Birmingham | 19% |
Source: Forbes Advisor
The nation’s special awareness skills leave much to be desired as almost one in four (23%) admit to scraping or hitting nearby obstacles when parking in the last year. Despite the volume of parking blunders across the nation, the research reveals Brits’ confidence won’t be knocked as almost half (45%) rate themselves as proficient parkers (ranking 4 or more out of 5). When comparing Brits’ self-proclaimed parking abilities by gender, a whopping 53% of men rated themselves as ‘good’ parkers, as opposed to 37% of women, despite having more accidents when parking in the last year.
However, when it comes to the UK’s parking preferences, the survey shows motorists are a pernickety bunch. Almost a fifth (19%) admit they hate parking near other cars – so will drive further away, even if they have to walk a much longer distance. Meanwhile, 14% need total concentration and complete silence when pulling off a manoeuvre. In some extreme cases, over one in 10 (11%) selfish drivers deliberately park in the middle of two bays so they have space either side.
Whilst it is clear UK motorists are picky parkers, data also shows parking prejudice is rife. Saving face is key to the average Brit, as they would rather park an additional 3 minutes’ walk away, just to avoid having someone else watch them get into a difficult space.
Kevin Pratt, car insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, says: “Whilst the latest advancements in car tech, like the addition of park assist and self-park features, may make it easier for drivers to manoeuvre into spaces, many cars on the roads still do not have these capabilities.
“Our research shows many drivers are struggling to get into spaces, resulting in accidents that could impact their car insurance premiums. When attempting to park it’s important to take your time and remove any distractions, such as loud music or objects in the rear-view mirror – this should help reduce the risk of hitting cars or obstacles nearby.”