REVEALED: The worst time, day and location for car park prangs
New research from Suncorp insurer AAMI reveals each state's worst car park prang hotspots and provides top tips for a prang-free car parking experience this busy holiday season.
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Analysis of more than 22,000 car park insurance claims across Australia from October 2023 to September 2024 has revealed December is the worst month for shopping centre car park collisions (2,659), closely followed by November (2,323).
There were about one third (36%) more car park crashes in December than the monthly average for the 12 months to 30 September 2024. And the Melbourne suburb of Doncaster has once again taken out the dubious honour of Australia's worst hotspot for car park collisions.
Worst suburbs for car park collisions in each state and territory
| State | VIC | NSW | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT |
| #1 Suburb | Doncaster | Chatswood | Maroochydore | Baldivis | Modbury | Kingston | Belconnen | Casuarina |
AAMI Motor Claims Manager Leah James said the data reflected shopping behaviour of Australians this time of year.
"In these last few hectic weeks of the year, Aussies scramble to hit the shops to snag those last-minute deals or the odd present they might've forgotten," Ms James said.
"A busy time for shopping means a busy time for car parks, and this is reflected in a spike in collisions over the festive season."
Unlike last year, Saturday has become the worst day to go shopping, with car park prangs spiking (3,703), closely followed by Friday (3,662) and then Thursday (3,514). Sunday is the best day to shop if you want to avoid a car park ding.
The afternoon (between 1-4:30pm) is by far the worst time of day to find yourself in a shopping centre car park, followed by mornings between (6-9:30am), and then peak evening shopping hours (between 4:30-8pm).
Aussie drivers are quick to acknowledge others for bad behaviour behind the wheel, with more than two thirds (60%) having seen others driving too fast, and more than three in five Aussies (64%) seeing another driver double-park or take up two spaces.
Perhaps unsurprisingly though, drivers are less likely to confess when they have committed these cardinal car park sins. Only one in five (20%) admit they've driven too fast, and about one in ten (11%) say they've double-parked or taken up two spaces.
Top three hotspots and insights for car park collisions in each state and territory
#Victoria
| Top 3 Suburbs | Doncaster, Ringwood & Chadstone |
| Worst Day | Saturday |
| Worst Time | Afternoon |
#Queensland
| Top 3 Suburbs | Maroochydore, Indooroopilly & Carindale |
| Worst Day | Saturday |
| Worst Time | Afternoon |
#Australia Capital Territory
| Top 3 Suburbs | Belconnen, Greenway & Gungahlin |
| Worst Day | Thursday |
| Worst Time | Afternoon |
#Tasmania
| Top 3 Suburbs | Kingston, Glenorchy, Rosny Park |
| Worst Day | Friday |
| Worst Time | Afternoon |
#New South Wales
| Top 3 Suburbs | Chatswood, Miranda & Castle Hill |
| Worst Day | Friday |
| Worst Time | Afternoon |
#Western Australia
| Top 3 Suburbs | Baldivis, Joondalup & Innaloo |
| Worst Day | Thursday |
| Worst Time | Afternoon |
#South Australia
| Top 3 Suburbs | Modbury, Oaklands Park & Mount Barker |
| Worst Day | Wednesday |
| Worst Time | Afternoon |
#Northern Territory
| Top 3 Suburbs | Casuarina, Palmerston, Alice Springs |
| Worst Day | Friday |
| Worst Time | Afternoon |
AAMI's Top Tips for a prang-free parking experience
"Every year we see a similar story unfold, making it even more important to do what you can to stay calm and cautious," Ms James said.
"Shopping on the quieter days, driving just that little bit slower and staying extra vigilant could be the difference between a smooth ride and a prang this Christmas season."
Claims data collected from Suncorp Group's network of brands Including AAMI, Suncorp Insurance, GIO, Apia and Bingle, from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024.
The research findings were compiled through a national survey with a representative sample of 1,000 Australians aged 18+ and was conducted by Pure Profile in November 2024 on behalf of AAMI.
For more information please contact: Jarvis Schwager. E: jarvis.schwager@suncorp.com.au T: 0488 252 054
