AAMI names Casuarina Square, Palmerston and Coolalinga NT’s worst crash hotspots

An analysis of over 20,000 insurance claims has revealed the NT’s worst crash spots and when they’re most common. Read where fender benders happen most often.

December has been revealed as the peak time for shopping centre car park collisions across Australia with Casuarina Square, Palmerston and Coolalinga named as the Territory’s worst hotspots according to new data from AAMI.

Accidental parking damage was the most common type of crash in the NT with male drivers most likely to get into a carpark crash according to an analysis of over 23,000 insurance claims this past year.

AAMI Motor Claims Manager Leah James stressed the importance of resisting the urge to find a park quickly to avoid future accidents.

“It’s the busiest time of year for shopping centres, which transform into the ‘Hunger Games’ of parking, as desperate shoppers battle it out to find a car park,” she said.

“The longer we spend doing laps of the car park and stalking shoppers, the more frustrated we become, which can quickly lead to erratic driving and a higher chance of being in a collision. “To lessen your chances of a collision, it’s important to stay vigilant this festive season, slow down and take your time when trying to find a park.”

It’s important to take care while driving in shopping car parks, especially during the silly season to avoid car park prangs. Picture: iStock.

The analysis also found that NT car park crashes were most likely to occur on a Monday afternoon with common accidents including collision with a stationary object such as a bollard, shopping trolley or pillar or wall, with at least one driver reversing and hitting a parked car.

Ms James said: “while we can’t control what’s going on in the car park, we can adapt our own behaviour behind the wheel.”

“As you hit the shops, keep calm, minimise distractions and avoid dashing through the car park to avoid an unwanted car park prang before the holidays,” she said.

“It’s important to keep at a steady pace while trying to find a park and resist the urge to find a spot quickly, particularly in tight shopping centre car parks with limited space to manoeuvre.

“Don’t let impatience get the better of you and make sure you keep a safe distance between you and the car in front or reversing.

“If you can, utilise shopping centre concierge valet or car wash services so you don’t have to find a car park at all.”

She also said it was important to “take care” to watch out for children, pedestrians and stationary objects such as pillars, bollards and trolleys, especially when reversing and watch out for stationary objects including pillars, bollards and trolleys.

Originally published as AAMI names Casuarina Square, Palmerston and Coolalinga NT’s worst crash hotspots