Crash danger D-day
LINDA SMITH
December 20, 2008 12:00am
DRIVERS beware -- today is the day you are most likely to have a pre-Christmas car crash.
And it is also more likely you will experience road rage from fellow drivers stressed out by the festive rush.
RACT insurance figures show crash claims spike in December and December 20 is the busiest day of all.
The crashes typically involve pre-Christmas shoppers who have low-speed crashes around shopping precincts and in shopping centre car parks.
RACT Insurance chief executive Ralph Doedens said an analysis of claims made over the past decade in the busy two-week period before Christmas had pinpointed December 20 as the worst day for prangs.
He said it did not matter on what day December 20 fell -- regardless of whether it was a weekday or a weekend -- it was still the most likely for crashes.
"The only thing I can put it down to is the fact that it has a two in front of the number," Mr Doedens said.
"People realise it's the 20th and start to panic because it's nearly Christmas and they haven't done their shopping.
"The message is that if you don't want to spoil your Christmas celebrations, be particularly alert while driving around shopping centres at this time of the year."
Mr Doedens said there tended to be more road rage at Christmas time.
"If they have been waiting for a parking spot for ages and then another driver pinches it, they get angry . . . it develops into a bit of a stressful situation," he said.
RACT claims always jumped in December and fell immediately after Christmas.
In the two weeks before Christmas last year, there were about 25 claims a day statewide. After Christmas it dropped to 16 a day.
About 700 crashes occur each December among motorists insured by RACT.
But drivers should not despair -- they should hit the shops on Boxing Day instead.
"Our statistics show that the safest day to go shopping in December is Boxing Day and December 27, which perhaps suggests that post-Christmas sales aren't just good for the wallet, they're good for motorists' nerves as well," Mr Doedens said.
Meanwhile police are concerned about a significant number of hit-and-run accidents in recent days in and around car parks, particularly in Launceston's CBD.
Police reminded motorists they were legally required to stop and assist if necessary and provide their name and address to others involved.
If you hit a parked car and the other driver is not present, you should report the accident to police. |
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