Bigger average car sizes causing parking problems
New research from Aviva has revealed that average car sizes have grown 22% in the last two decades.
It found that nearly half of drivers (42%) no longer park their cars in their garages as a result, with 21% saying their garages are too difficult to park in and 16% saying their cars are now too big.
The research also revealed that many drivers struggle to park more generally, with 34% admitting they lack confidence, 29% saying they feel pressured by other drivers, and 23% admitting previous errors have impacted their ability.
According to the data, drivers who have bumps while trying to park are most likely to hit a wall (16%), followed by a bollard (11%), lamp post (11%), parked vehicle (10%), and fence (nine per cent).
Damage was cosmetic in 49% of cases, with 39% of incidents leading to a damaged bumper, 17% resulting in broken headlights and 15% damaging wing mirrors.
Parking problems
Martin Smith, motor claims manager at Aviva, said: “It’s interesting to see that garage owners are favouring other locations for parking their car, which could in part be explained by the gradual increase in car size over the years.
“Garages can offer an additional layer of security. However, if you find that you struggle to park, always check your rear view and wing mirrors first. Although parking sensors and cameras can be a helpful guide, be careful not to over-rely on these, as there could be an object, item or person in your blind spot which wouldn’t be visible to the car’s camera or sensor.”
