Parked cars caused more road collisions than the weather in 2023

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Thu, 17 Oct 2024

Parked or stationary vehicles were a contributory factor in almost 1500 road collisions in 2023, new data from the Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed.

Collisions were caused by drivers’ vision being impaired. Remarkably, parked or stationary vehicles were linked to more collisions than adverse weather conditions.

A combination of rain, sleet, snow and fog were a contributory factor in 'only' 1307 accidents.

Indeed, the only external factor responsible for more collisions was dazzling sunlight, leading to 1770 collisions.

Other factors that can impair vision include road layout, vehicle blind spots, vegetation, buildings and spray from other vehicles – and parked cars were linked to a greater number of incidents than them all.

"These figures highlight the potential dangers that parked or stationary vehicles can pose on roads, particularly how they obstruct drivers’ vision," says YourParkingSpace MD Andy Syrett.

He adds that motorists need to be mindful when parking by the roadside to avoid creating obstacles while those driving past should remain vigilant for any potential hazards.”

The data does not (yet) include any figures on drivers being dazzled by the headlights of oncoming vehicles.

Given how the government has given the green light to research into the dangers of headlight glare, it will be interesting to see if this becomes a factor in future editions of the DfT report.  

Ask HJ

I was involved in a no-fault accident, so why has my premium gone up?

I was rear ended while sitting stationary. Why then am I penalised with higher premiums ?

An accident where your vehicle is damaged through no fault of your own is one of the most frustrating experiences in motoring, and is compounded by the fact that it usually results in increased insurance premiums. Put simply, although you were not at fault and presumably did not make a claim on your own insurance, you have been involved in an accident. However unfair this is, in the eyes of insurance companies this means you are a higher risk driver than someone who has not.

Answered by David Ross

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