• Taking up two parking spaces revealed as most annoying parking habit
• 39% of motorists guilty of parking too close to car next to them

This time of year marks the countdown to Christmas gift buying season with many planning the best day and time to take the car into town to complete their shopping list. Stress levels can rise with the search for a convenient parking space and research* by mobility solutions specialist, easytrip, Ireland’s only electronic parking and tolling tag provider, has revealed that parking stress affects one in three drivers.

Parking habits

Being conscious of other vehicles in the car park is of benefit to all motorists however there are parking habits that drivers find most annoying about their fellow motorists as the research revealed. Here are the top five:

1. Taking up two parking spaces (86%)
2. Parking too close to your car (71%)
3. Parking in a designated disabled parking space (when they’re not disabled) (70%)
4. Parking in a family car space (when they don’t have a child/children in the car) (38%)
5. Blocking the parking aisle while they wait for a parking space (26%)

Drivers themselves have also revealed their guilty habits when it comes to parking their own vehicles, with parking too close to the next car highlighted as the number one bad habit for 39% of respondents. This was followed by blocking the parking aisle while waiting for a parking space (26%), and parking in a family car space (when there are no child/children in the car) (23%). Taking up two parking spaces was also revealed as a guilty habit for one in six drivers and even 6% of drivers confessed to robbing a parking space from another driver.

Car parking incidents

The easytrip research also asked motorists about their parking experiences and the incidents that occurred while parking their vehicle. It revealed that 62% of respondents had their vehicle scratched or dented which may have been as a result of a driver parking to close to their car.  This was followed by 32% of respondents who couldn’t find where they parked their vehicle, and one in five motorists who revealed that they have been clamped for parking in the wrong location. A small number of respondents also admitted to fighting with another driver over a parking space.

On street parking incidents

Finding a parking space in a car park can be much easier and convenient than on-street parking and respondents to the easytrip survey revealed incidents that they have been guilty of when on street parking also, including illegal parking. The top five are:

1. Parking on the footpath blocking pedestrian access (38%)
2. Parking in a loading bay during restricted hours (31%)
3. Parking on a double yellow line (30%)
4. Parking on a single yellow line during restricted hours (29%)
5. Parking at a bus stop (11%)

The easytrip research also highlighted that many drivers have parking aids on their vehicle with 88% stating they have parking sensors on their car and 47% who have a reverse camera. 10% of respondents also stated that they had parking assist technology which identifies a parking space and parks the vehicle for the driver.

Commenting on the research, Colin Delaney, CEO of easytrip said: “Our research reveals many of our nations parking habits as we move into the busy Christmas shopping period. While parking technology has made parking easier for many motorists it’s also important to note that we need to remain patient and courteous of other drivers when parking our vehicles.  We are advising motorists to be mindful, to not take up two parking spaces and to make sure they give enough room to the cars parked on either side of them. To not park in a space that isn’t designated for their use and when parking on the street be aware of the law and most importantly of other road users including pedestrians, cyclists, bus and van drivers.”

Easytrip offer a range of services to motorists including breakdown assistance with easyAssist, Puncture Protect, as well as easyParking and tolling with the use of the easytrip electronic tag. EasyParking is available in more than 40 of Ireland’s major car parks offering over 25,000 parking spaces. Motorists can park with the use of the easytrip App or by using the easytrip tag. For more information log onto www.easytrip.ie or call 1890 67 67 68.