Scratching the surface

It’s that moment of horror on returning to the car park – that dent on your car that wasn’t there when you left.

An AA Insurance driver safety survey of 1000 Kiwi drivers earlier this year found 52 per cent of drivers returned to find their parked car damaged.

In 85 per cent of those cases, the perpetrator didn’t leave a note.

‘‘It’s inconsiderate and irresponsible and people should take responsibility for their actions,’’ said New Plymouth resident Mel Sleep, who has unexplained dents on both sides of her car.

She said it’s important to have insurance but also people need to be more prepared to dob someone else in.

‘‘I think it’s always been around, just some people don’t report it.’’

Irene van der Sar, also from New Plymouth, has had three dents from either car doors or supermarket trolleys over the last two months.

‘‘This comes on top of another three last year, which have cost me hundreds of dollars.

‘‘I would like to suggest that we should all take note when we see this happen to another person’s car."

Ross Fraser from Ross Fraser Panelbeaters says he does a couple of quotes a week but a lot of people choose not to get their dings fixed.

‘‘It becomes a five, six, seven-hundred-dollar job for a small supermarket dent,’’ he said. ‘‘If you’re sensible you’ll park your car at the other end of the car park, but some people have to park close.

‘‘It’s an issue, but not a major issue.’’

He said the main cause is incorrect parking, or kids not judging the distance to another car when they open the door.

About half the people who do the damage are honest about it, he estimated.

‘‘There are a lot of shady characters that just wouldn’t give a darn if they opened the door onto the car.’’

Legally, if you damage someone else’s car and disappear, you’re not just dishonest – you’re breaking the law.

‘‘If you cause damage to the property of another person in a crash you should try to contact the owner and give them your details so that you can make arrangements for repairs,’’ said inspector Peter McKennie, manager of operations for the National Road Policing Centre.

‘‘If you are unable to, the Land Transport Act requires you to report the crash to police.’’

Amelia Macandrew, customer relations manager for AA Insurance, said that if you find your car damaged, you should try reporting it to the carpark security or mall firm.

‘‘They may have CCTV footage that’s captured the entire event, which can help identify the person responsible.

‘‘Look for witnesses, not only other drivers, but the person collecting the trolleys, or even the busker outside the mall.

‘‘If you’ve witnessed someone else damaging a parked car, do your bit and pass on any information you have to the innocent party,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s inconsiderate and irresponsible and people should take responsibility for their actions.’’ New Plymouth resident Mel Sleep