WOMEN motorists are in danger of becoming captives in their own cars as the evenings get longer, a new study warns today.
WOMEN motorists are in danger of becoming captives in their own cars as the evenings get longer, a new study warns today.
As the clocks go back, Norwich Union’s Parking Perils study shows that four in five women fear MOST for their personal safety in car parks during the winter months.
And at any time of the year eight in ten women prefer to park in an open air car park or on the street, according to the independent research commissioned by the insurer.
Norwich Union’s Parking Perils study suggests that:
- A third of all men fear the winter months more than any time of the year when parking in a car park
- One in ten women motorists know someone who has been attacked in a car park
- Two in three women always take security measures (such as checking the back seat before they get in their car) when parking in a car park - compared to two in five men
- Lack of lighting in multi-storey car parks is the greatest concern for female motorists and a lack of security presence is the greatest concern for men
- When driving alone at night, five times more motorists feel safer parking on the street than in a multi-storey car park.
Norwich Union has joined forces with the leading authority for personal safety, The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, to educate drivers about the importance of personal safety when parking in the winter months.
The insurer has produced a Safe Car Parking guide that gives motorists helpful tips about what to look for when selecting a safe car park and parking spot, as well as safety techniques to use when leaving and returning to your car.
Diana Lamplugh, founder of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust said: "People are out and about in their cars a lot more in winter, not only because of the darker, colder nights, but with Christmas fever - shopping, and meeting friends and family. With this in mind there are even more reasons to be cautious when parking.
"Car parking is a major area of concern for The Trust and we have been championing the issue of safety in car parks for many years now."
James Duffell of Norwich Union said: "Our research shows motorists - both male and female - fear for their personal safety in the winter months, and with the clock’s going back on Sunday, we are warning all motorists to take particular care.
"Parking is an essential element of owning a car, and our guide offers all motorists useful advice to protect themselves and reduce the likelihood of them becoming a victim of personal attack or car crime."
For a free copy of Norwich Union’s Safe Car Parking guide ring Freefone 0800 0280 939.
Notes to Editors
Norwich Union commissioned The Survey Shop to interview more than 500 motorists in Britain in March 2000.
CGU and Norwich Union merged on 30 May 2000 to create CGNU plc - the world’s 6th largest insurer, the UK's largest insurance group and one of the top-five life insurers in Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world.
CGNU's principal business activities are long-term savings, general insurance and asset management with worldwide premium income and retail investment sales of Ł26 billion and assets under management of more than Ł200 billion.
The combined life and pensions, general insurance and retail fund businesses in the UK operate under the Norwich Union brand, while the institutional business operates under the Morley Fund Management brand.
For more information contact Matthew Buchanan/Anja Kueppers, at QBO, on 020 7379 0304, or Liz Nicholson, Norwich Union Press Office, on 01603 688 263.