RAC WA insurance claims general manager Andrew O’Hara.
Camera IconRAC WA insurance claims general manager Andrew O’Hara. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Concern over car park accidents during Christmas peak shopping period

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

The call was made by RAC WA as it released figures showing the number of claims made after carpark accidents during the lead-up to Christmas.

Between December 1 and December 24 last year, 413 shopping centre carpark accidents were recorded in WA.

Of those, 19 were at Midland Gate Shopping Centre.

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Westfield Innaloo notched the second highest with 17, while Garden City’s 15 crashes placed it equal third with Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

Armadale Shopping City rounded out the top 10 with eight crashes.

Locally, Phoenix Shopping Centre in Spearwood finished 11th with seven crashes.

Six crashes were recorded at Cockburn Gateway.

RAC WA spokesman Andrew O’Hara said shopping centres were high-risk areas heading into Christmas.

“What we are seeing are collisions at the intersections surrounding shopping centres, people driving in and people driving out,” he said.

Mr O’Hara said visibility in shopping centre car parks can be restricted because so many cars and people are concentrated in the one area.

“We recommend everyone be patient, be on high alert, drive courteously and take time around carparks. Be careful when reversing and being aware that you may be hard to see also helps,”

Top 10 shopping centres for collision claims from 1 – 24 December 2014.

1 – Midland Gate Shopping Centre (19 prangs)

2 – Westfield Innaloo (17)

3 – Garden City Shopping Centre (15)

4 – Karrinyup Shopping Centre (15)

5 – Galleria Shopping Centre (14)

6 – Westfield Carousel (13)

7 – Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City (11)

8 – Rockingham Shopping Centre (9)

9 – Warwick Grove Shopping Centre (8)

10 – Armadale Shopping City (8).