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02 December, 2024
Westfield Carousel has been revealed as home to Perth’s most dangerous shopping centre car park, with the car park at Bunbury Centrepoint named as the most dangerous in regional WA.
A survey of more than 6,000 RAC members found that confusing layouts, abandoned trolleys and sharp corners where turns were difficult, were the top reasons given for a shopping centre car park being named as dangerous.
When navigating a shopping centre car park, motorists are often faced with a confined space where vehicles are moving in many different directions all at once.
Throughout the year, during special sales events, this problem is exacerbated as heavier traffic weaves through narrow car park lanes with frustrated drivers searching for a free car bay.
While car park incidents where vehicles crash with other vehicles generally don’t result in serious injuries, those walking or riding through busy shopping centre car parks can be at risk.
Top 5 riskiest car parks in Perth
Westfield Carousel
Karrinyup Shopping Centre
Coventry Markets, Morley
Cockburn Gateway Shopping Centre
Kardinya Park Shopping Centre
Top 5 riskiest car parks in regional WA
Bunbury Centrepoint
Albany Plaza
Margaret River Central
Northgate Shopping Centre, Geraldton
Pinjarra Junction Shopping Centre
Car park crashes increasing
RAC Insurance spokesperson, Glen Walker, said shopping centre car parks were a common hotspot for crashes, with the number of insurance claims for car park incidents on the rise.
“In 2023, RAC received 25,229 claims for car park prangs – an 8.5 per cent increase over the previous year,” Walker said.
"Shopping centre car parks can be a maze of frustration — crowded, chaotic, and often a test of patience.”
"These busy spaces demand extra attention, so it’s important to stay alert, be courteous and patient, and ensure everyone's safety."
During busier shopping periods, shoppers should allow extra time to find a parking spot or try to visit at times of the day or week when traffic may not be as heavy,
Reduce your risk
When reversing out of or into a bay, don’t only rely on vehicle sensors - make sure you carefully check your mirrors and blind spots, including turning your head to check behind you, before reversing.
In addition to keeping a lookout for other cars and runaway shopping trolleys, it’s also especially important to be mindful of shoppers walking to and from cars, who may be distracted by juggling shopping bags and searching for their vehicle.
Adhere to car park speed limits and drive extra slowly when shopping centres are very busy and remember to use your indicators in the same way you would on the road, to signal your intention to turn other drivers and pedestrians.
In dark underground car parks, switch on your headlights – this not only allows others to see you more clearly but can also help you to judge how close you’re getting to car park walls and pillars. And ensure you take your shopping trolley back to the trolley return bay.
