This is shown by a new survey carried out by Demoskop, which was carried out on behalf of the insurance company Gjensidige.
It is before the last Christmas presents to be purchased such as the parking spaces become increasingly hard currency.
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Common with parking damage
– Historically speaking, December 22 has been the worst car dent day of the year. Then it’s too late to get Christmas presents ordered online delivered. Therefore, those who are out at the last minute have to go to the shops and then the risk increases, says Markus Ljungblad, who is head of claims at Gjensidige Försäkring.
However, it is not the upsurge of eager shoppers that is causing it, but 49 percent of Swedes think it is more difficult to get a place with the car in the parking slot.
Whether this is a consequence of cars getting bigger or that we Swedes have become worse at parking is not clear.
– The size of the cars varies to a greater degree today than in the past, but it is not always that the size of the parking spaces has been adapted in size in the same way. That could perhaps be an explanation behind several of the parking lot injuries that occur, says Markus Ljungblad.
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Obliged to contact
If a parking lot occurs, you are obliged to somehow contact the owner of the affected vehicle. One way is to leave a note under the windscreen wiper, another is to check up on the owner of the car via the Swedish Transport Agency.
Having said that, 50 percent of Swedes believe that they do not think it is common to leave a note when you have caused an injury. Only 15 percent are of the opinion that it is part of the norm.
– Hopefully it is more common than you think. But some may find it embarrassing to reveal themselves or worry about the consequences. Then it is important to think again, because if you have accidentally damaged another car, the absolute best thing you can do is to make sure that the affected car owner can reach you. Otherwise, it could be that you are guilty of contagion, says Markus Ljungblad.
Tactical parking
Being stressed about Christmas shopping is one thing, but you shouldn’t let it affect your maneuvering when parking.
– Try to take your time and you will also reduce the risk of accidentally causing an injury yourself. If you can, please park a bit away from the shopping center where there are fewer cars. Feel free to back into the parking space instead of driving in, because then you have better visibility when you have to drive out. And if you have children with you, please help open the car door because children have a harder time judging both their strength and the distance to the other car, says Markus Ljungblad.
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