Anyone else have been unfortunate to have their rides keyed by inconsiderate people?
How does insurance cover these incidences? Do we have to pay the excess to get it fixed?
And how much would it cost for the panel-beating/repainting/polishing? My scratch marks span a door + rear side with some regions deeper than others.
Is it even worth making a police report on this? Since there isn't any CCTV where my vehicle was parked.
It's far from expensive. It's a second hand Nissan Pulsar. From memory, I didn't park illegally or drove like mad. There was this one incident where someone was tailgating me rigorously (mind you I was doing the legal speed and the person seemed like they were speeding for no reason).
I guess there's no point in repairing it if it's only a 2nd hand car. But it's still my first car and it's left some scars in me. Just hope it won't affect the sale of the car when I'm ready to upgrade.
Keep left unless overtaking.
Yup, it seems that all the lazy drivers just hog the far right lane while the middle and far left ones are empty. Don't impede others by driving in the far right lane at speed limit. Either match their speed or get over to the left lane and get out of their way.Do not block other traffic by driving right next to another vehicle at the same speed!!!
How much faster over the speed limit should I be to travel on the right lane?
You can do the speed limit just as well in the left hand lane(s).
It is not your job to police or slow down other drivers.
Besides, you have no idea why they might need to be going faster than you.
Only use the right hand lane if you are overtaking - regardless of the speed you are doing.
For your information, the tailgating incident occurred in a residential street with lots of cars parked on both sides of the street. I was pushed to go 70km/h and the 4WD was still pretty close behind me. There wasn't a "keep left" alternative here.
Besides you can't justify keying someone else's car just because we were not in the same rush as you. That's road rage.
As far as I know, the right lane is only considered the overtaking lane if you're driving on a highway. Otherwise there is no 'overtaking lane'..
…or it might've been roads below 80km/h have no distinct overtaking lanes.
Can others clarify this? E.g. normal 60km/h zones. Do we always have to keep left?
Is it very much "courtesy" to keep left and not legally-supported?
Correct. Legally keep left is only when speed limit is 80 or above.
That sucks about your car being keyed. I agree that no type of driving behaviour should justify another person raging and reacting like that.
Can I ask how that 4WD then knew where you parked? Did they follow you? Or did you pull over into a parking spot while they were tailgating you?
@ Gorodemon
It always amuses me when "drivers" like you are pulled over by the undercover highway police. I hope you never harm any other person/driver in an accident except yourself.
No idea why you are getting downvoted. This is precisely the point I make to others too. Why does anyone need to move out of the fast lane driving anywhere metropolitan when you are sitting on the maximum allowable speed limit? People who tailgate & flash you in that scenario are just retards.
I'm not a speeder, but the person who puts on their vigilante cap and sits in front of the person who is trying to get past/tailgating/flashing headlights at you is the retard.
maximum allowable speed limit
I think one of the problems with this is people think its okay to do 50 in the 60 zone, because 60 is the max limit. By that logic, doing 30 in a 60 zone, or 50 in a 100km/hr zone is legal and safe, because its under the allowable max speed limit.
Some of these drivers think they're being safe, when really theyre not.
It is actually above 80, not 80 or above, so practically that means 90 or above.
http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Publications/AustralianRoadR…
Rule 130
Keeping to the left on a multi-lane road
(1) This rule applies to a driver driving on a multi-lane road if:
(a) the speed-limit applying to the driver for the length of
road where the driver is driving is over 80 kilometres per
hour; or
(b) a keep left unless overtaking sign applies to the length of
road where the driver is driving.
(2) The driver must not drive in the right lane unless:
(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U–turn from the
centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction
signal; or
(b) the driver is overtaking; or
(c) a left lane must turn left sign or left traffic lane arrows
apply to any other lane and the driver is not turning left; or
(d) the driver is required to drive in the right lane under
rule 159; or
(e) the driver is avoiding an obstruction; or
(f) the traffic in each other lane is congested; or
(g) the traffic in every lane is congested.
Correct. Legally keep left is only when speed limit is 80 or above.
Can't believe how many idiots +voted this incorrect statement. Just highlights the problems on our roads, no one knows the road rules but think they do. The correct rule has been posted by Daabido. Get a clue guys.
Regardless whether it's keep left unless overtaking when it's 80 or 90, a lot of complaints are from people who think it's keep left unless overtaking ALL the time.
I have no problems overtaking from a left lane on 60km/h roads. I shouldn't be expected to slow down just because the car on my right is slowing down (more so if you consider cars doing so to turn right etc).
What peeves me off during driving, are a flank of cars forcing everyone behind to go at their speed.
Drive in whatever lane you want. Unless the speed limit is above 80, ie 90 or more, or if there is a sign "keep left unless overtaking". Some people need to read the road rules.
Some people need to read the road rules.
Just to clarify, the "people" referred to in natmans comment are all the + votes on this comment -
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/138544#comment-1908967
Anyone else want to sign up to the "I've got no idea" club?
I don't know why pisslur is getting so many + votes. When op posted this there was no indication that he was in a multi lane road and even then that doesn't give the driver behind the right to tail gate.
I'll always stick to the middle lane when possible for people like that. But when it's on a single lane residential 50km/hr road I have no sympathy for the person behind.
Isn't it more or less etiquette?
To stick on the left most lane wherever possible, unless overtaking?
It not, it sure as damn hell should be.
Why do overtaking lanes exist? I get you overtake people in it, but with Australia's strict speed limits and fines, why does the government even design them? Am I missing the point?
Am I missing the point?
Apparently yes
70 in Qld.
Can't believe some of the brain dead comments in here, automatically jumping to the defence of the tailgater.
It's not the fellow motorists' job to police and force others to go faster by tailgating. There is simply no excuse for that on a normal suburban road.
It's a massive conclusion jumping exercise to assume that just because someone is in the right lane and going the legal limit that they are somehow policing and trying to interfere with your travels. That's just ridiculous logic but is a great example of the mindset that explains why road rage is such an issue on our roads.
Consider the possibility that this person might want to turn right shortly up ahead, or as is very often the case the lanes are all choked and it's not immediately possible or safe to get out of the right lane!
In case you didn't read the last line..
Keep left unless overtaking.
So your advice is to obey a freeway (and above 90kph roads in vic) driving rule like a religion on every road, while ignoring a swag of others (speed, car spacing) just to serve your desire to drive around like a total anus?
@wasabinator
Although you might not legally have to, you should stay in the left lane on any road if it's safe to do so, you aren't overtaking and you aren't turning right up ahead. As far as I'm concerned, the "Respect your fellow motorist" mantra SHOULD be obeyed like a religion.
And you shouldn't tailgate. It's dangerous. The right lane excuse doesn't wash as i cop it all the time in Melbourne irrespective of lane and the fact my baby daughter is in the back seat with large baby on board sign, doesn't stop these idiots, which is why I am particularly passionate about the topic.
Driving up someone's rear is about as direspectful of a fellow motorist as can be, you have no idea WHY that person isn't driving at your speed for starters.
Not just any old baby on board sign… a large one
@wasabinator
Can I please direct you to these tips. If you are knowingly impeding someone when you could be getting out of the way, whether they are speeding or not, you are also endangering the baby you have on board.
Not just any old baby on board sign… a large one
Maybe it's a large baby too.
@johnno07,
Again, your wording "knowing impeding" is jumping to the defense of the tailgater with almost zero knowledge of the circumstances I describe. I've got 20 years driving experience behind me and I already do pretty much everything in those tips including getting out of the way!
And it's the tailgater who is endangering us! I am NOT endangering my child my driving safe. It's like talking with single minded idiots in here. The other stupid replies from others aren't worth considering.
including getting out of the way!
if you got out of the way like you claim then how do you get tailgated? Contradictory don't you think?
Frankly, your large baby on board sign is more of an indication of your "safe" driving skills than your years of experience. We aren't jumping to conclusions here, we are making accurate judgment calls on your driving based on the information you are providing.
What's worse, you are naive to expect other drivers to change their driving style because you have a yellow sign in your window. You think you have this self-entitlement for everyone around you to protect and look out for you. You keep blaming others and saying its someone else's fault but I'd bet my house that you have poor driving skills and are completely oblivious to what is happening around you on the road. Just my 20 years of driving around people with large baby on board signs…
if you got out of the way like you claim then how do you get tailgated?
It's not always possible or safe to get out of the way. eg congested lanes, you're preparing to turn, single lane road etc etc
if you got out of the way like you claim then how do you get tailgated?
Ever been tailgated in the left lane?
Contradictory don't you think?
Annoying, I think.
@wasabinator
I said "if you are knowingly impeding" - not that you were. I'm not defending the tailgater at all. I'm saying, that if you are in a position to get out of the way - get out of the way. Simple as that.
If you choose to take the "I'm doing the speed limit so I don't have to get out of the way" approach - then you are partially responsible for the problem and partially responsible for endangering yourself and your passengers. Just because you're in the right, doesn't make it your best option. If you move out of the way, and the tailgater follows you, or you are on a single lane road - then you can't do anything about that. Even if you're turning right up ahead, if you're that worried about your baby, you should still be pulling over to the left. Better to miss your turn and come back, then to be in a dangerous situation.
To reiterate - do everything in your power to get out of the way of a tailgater. This includes pulling over and slowing down/stopping in an emergency lane to let them past if it reaches some incredible level of danger. I have not been driving as long as you, only about 7 years, but I have done about 150,000km in that time. I have seen literally hundreds of shit drivers, and experienced plenty of idiot tailgaters. However I have never been in a situation where I couldn't just let the tailgater past to resolve the situation.
I have not, at any point, made assumptions about your driving - I am talking about this problem as a whole.
if you are in a position to get out of the way - get out of the way
Yes I agree. It just seems as if people were defending tailgaiters and blaming the guy driving safely at the speed limit.
Say you're an 85yo lady/gent. You realise you're skills/reflexes are not quite as good as they were. You're extra cautious so you always drive 5km/h below the speed limit to compensate. This elderly lady/gent will get tailgated no matter what lane they're in. To avoid tailgaters they would have to change lanes or pull over every 30 seconds. It's annoying to be stuck behind one of these people when you're in a hurry, but that's our fault for leaving home too late.
If your skills aren't as good as they need to be when driving then slowing down is not a good option, it will only put you at higher risk of an accident. Solution: catch a bus.
What if you're 105 years old and your skills are even worse so now you travel 40kms below the speed limit. Is this OK with you? When does it end? I bet if you were stuck behind a car doing 20km/h in a 60 zone you wouldn't have the same patience.
Re-read jhnno07's post again, he hits the nail on the head.
Of course it is possible to be dangerously under the speed limit. However 5km/h under is nowhere near dangerous.
What if you're on a road you've never travelled on. A lot of people might think it safe to drive cautiously, perhaps under the speed limit. So it's actually safer to speed up?
I'm not sure that those comments help OzBargainer2014 who wants to know about insurance.
"You can do the speed limit just as well in the left hand lane(s)" The speed limit is the maximum you are entitled to do in any lane. Even when overtaking in the right lane a driver must not exceed the speed limit, no matter what lane they choose. Tailgating is also an offence. Attempting to intimidate another driver in any way is dangerous and distracts them from keeping their attention on the road.
To use your words, "It is not your job to police" or determine which lane other drivers use.
"Besides, you have no idea why they might need to be going faster than you" There is no excuse for speeding, you increase risk to all other persons on and near the road - drivers, passengers and pedestrians as well as property. That is why speeding is an offence. Fines are intended to serve as a deterrent to this behaviour (among other reasons including revenue raising).
"Only use the right hand lane if you are overtaking - regardless of the speed you are doing." There is a need to travel in the right lane when exiting to the right and drivers should enter this lane well in advance of making their turn or exit. If people are speeding as you imply, this impedes drivers who wish to legally exit to the right,even on highways, from accessing this lane to exit the road. Hence the need for legal speed limits, which are intended to be observed by all road users.
The bottom line is: drive safely, consider other drivers and always put safety ahead of a need to get somewhere. Leave earlier if you must, but no one has a right to risk other peoples' lives, especially by speeding, just because they believe they have a "need to be going faster than you". The only exception to the speeding rule is the emergency services - police, fire and ambulance - and even then they are under strict rules regarding speeding and may be required to justify their actions when under investigation or, in the case of police, call off a chase.
I am reminded of a quotation I heard frequently in the automotive industry many years ago: "All it takes to be a fast driver is a heavy foot." All drivers should regularly review the drivers' manual issued by their State authority for changes to the road rules and familiarise themselves with these.
@JLove please explain? I get they are for "overtaking", but given how strict road rules are, how are people getting an opportunity to do so without being over the speed limit.
Usually, i'm on the left, exactly at the correct speed, but people still passing on my right. I assume they are speeding. What's the point of it?
@ hahaboy
As many have noted, the speed limit is the max allowable speed - correct, that means you can drive 50km/hr or even 40km/hr on a 60km/hr road. Not everyone goes by the speed limit and not everyone is a safe driver. This includes people who hesitate all the time while driving, braking and freaking out whenever they something new appears (even on the other side of the road), then accelerating and then braking again. Its not safe to be anywhere near those types of drivers as they're too unpredictable.
In highways at 100+ km/hr, some cars may not have that power to go that speed (especially going uphill), having dedicated overtaking lanes provides a safer way to overtake without going into the opposite lanes. Im guessing you've never driven on a highway and/or overtake a car on the single lane highway.
Feels bad to happen to your first car, but it is your first car and overtime you will want a new car :) I felt the same too when something happened to my first car.
If you are of the handy type, then might be a good chance to learn DIY repair - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1RfonBo3mE
When this happened to an elderly and immobile family member driving a fairly ordinary Toyota Corolla, they had to leave it there due to the cost of having it repaired. Yes they had full insurance. Unfortunately I don't have further details on their insurer's policy. I later found out that this frequently happens to disabled and immobile drivers. It appears that they are targeted by some who believe they are not entitled to the immobility sticker. Sad, especially given that a person may have no outward appearance of immobility but may suffer from medical complaints e.g. cancer that render them with issues of mobility and a need for the access that immobility parking provides.
Ozbargainer2014 I suggest you contact your insurer and make some enquiries. It is normal to pay the excess. I also suggest you enquire with a local panel beater for the cost. Sometimes this is lower if you don't take it through insurance. It will likely affect the sale price of the vehicle, but also likely is that this will be less than the price of fixing it.
Yes do report it. While it doesn't help you directly, it does add to the statistics that affect where police services are provided by demonstrating a need. Also report it to the car park owner.
Good luck. I'm sorry to hear that someone has done this to you at all, let alone at this early stage of your car owning, when you are obviously taking pride in the results of your hard earned wages.
A friend's old Holden Commodore was keyed at a shopping centre carpark. The vehicle was worth maybe $1000. Why did someone key it? Just because they could, and wanted to. Sometimes there isn't a reason behind a moron's actions.
Just playing devil's advocate here… but it's equally possible that your friend DID unintentionally piss someone off, resulting in the car-keying. I know there are idiots out there who just do that sort of crap for fun, but keying a car does seem like a specific thing to do rather than random (especially to a car that isn't worth much).
I dare say that those people who have had their cars keyed/damaged and then claim it was random/unprovoked, have actually done something to annoy the keyer, but were simply oblivious at the time.
Most bad drivers don't know they're bad drivers, much like stupid or annoying people in general don't really know they're stupid or annoying lol.
Again, I don't believe there is ANY justification to damage someone's property, and keying is a low act, but I find it hard to believe these "it happened for no reason!" stories sometimes :P
It's possible of course. I only have his word regarding the circumstances. It does strike me as being odd that someone could harbour so much hatred and malice over a possible road incident that they would then later go and damage the alleged perpetrator's property, potentially causing thousands of dollars in damage (new paint job across 4 or more panels).
In different but still related matters, over the weekend I had a new plant ripped out from my front garden with damage to the mulch mesh and other areas. Far too much damage to blame on a rogue dog. I wondered whether I have done anything to piss off a neighbour, and honestly can't think of any reason. Sometimes there are no logical reasons for a moron behaving like a moron.
Was it a particularly nice plant? Maybe there's a crazed person out there who just loves plants and had to have yours lol
Seriously though, that does suck though. What a bizarre thing to happen :( Real pain in the arse when someone does something rather malicious for seemingly little reward (yet lots of pain, expense and frustration for the victim). Just like car keying.
Sometimes true, but often for no reason other than the person doing the act is jealous, angry, bitter or twisted, or any combination. There are idiots in the world. Never an excuse to damage other peoples property. There are other more legal and ethical ways to sort things out or suck it in and move on.
Oh, I was told of a similar incident on our street.
Across the road, several houses down they had a few sunflowers in the front garden. Apparently some idiot destroyed them. The property owner put a note out on the fence, saying they were caught on camera and they're a lowlife etc.
Pointless destruction; I don't get it. Suspect it's the same 'tard that's been wrecking fences and deflating tyres around here.
Pretty sure you'd need a Police Report Number as it's vandalism.
I guess it depends how deep the scratch was. If its to the metal then repainting is not an option
I had to get my drivers door reprinted because the shelving in the garage collapsed and fell onto the door leaving a full door length of scratches. It cost me about $450 to repaint it
I assume was done at a supermarket? You can file a form centre management with them despite there insurance not covering you, and then do a police report. Both take 5mins to do.
Occurred in a residential area.
Respect for other peoples property is the moral way to go. You never know what the other person's situation is. Like the road rage story where, when the 'rager' finally caught to the 'offending' person, they were disabled with no legs! A note under a wiper blade, or let down a tyre if you are really angry, - is enough!
mcmonte, I don't agree with what you did but I still lol'ed.
Flat tyre is worse than keying someone's car. It is a safety issue if they can even drive after or have to try and get it fixed. Keying is cosmetic.
On stinking hot days frustration happens a lot. If someone is hot has kids or dogs with them and might have been frustrated or urgently trying to get out of the heat aswell and you misinterpret their urgency as rude.
Also diabetics often have emergencies in hot days as it affects them badly. The low sugar results in behaviour that is often wrongly misinterpreted as rude but is actually just them half way to dying. Its not fair to disable their car.
Live and let live. Most of these revenge seekers have made a bunch of excuses for the times they did the exact same thing. If you have such a problem in your own head that you can't forget silly injustices that you need to risk getting in trouble just to feel a bit more happy yourself, you really need a counsellor and to improve your own life.
How many of these trolls speed up when someone goes to overtake them? You know its true.
I once had someone open their car door into mine. They didn't realize I was sitting in my car. They looked at my car and i could see the fear in those eyes. I looked in my mirror and could see a mark. I decided not to say anything. It was an accident. Its a petty little mark and dint - 5cm, fixing it or the cost of fixing it to me was not worth making a little girl cry or bothering her two stressed out parents - who were on the other side of their car putting the baby away and hadn't seen it.
Definitely worth reporting if only to substantiate an insurance claim, keying is actually a fairly involved repair as they key usually cuts right into the body work requiring a full sand, fill and repaint - it happened to me once on a 2 month old car across the bonnet and side panel - it was very expensive to repair.
It's up to you, if you think it's worth fixing. I wouldn't claim it on insurance though. I would ask the mechanic you take your car to for servicing and ask if they know a good priced panel better and then go there for a quote and weigh it out from there. Pretty heartless to key your car and I love how people commenting saying it's possibly your fault. Automatically implying you were in a right lane, pissed someone etc. Even so, it's no excuse.
This happened to me a few years ago because I parked outside someone's house (only spot available in off street parking situation). They also slashed 3 of my tyres. The police refused to do anything and the insurance refused to pay for it. RACV refused to tow me. Expensive lesson learnt! Although I must say karma did catch up with the culprit not long after that……
Human-inflicted 'karma'?
wow, what a crazy reaction for merely parking in a public street!
What, the police refused to act despite you (presumably) knowing who did it? Man, that's crap. Actually, are you sure it was the people from the house you parked outside? How do you know for sure?
Did the police actually refuse to investigate or did they explain to you that without evidence there was nothing they could do?
Seriously how can anyone investigate a crime without any evidence? Where do you start? Did you have 100% concrete proof of who the offender was? Were there witnesses, CCTV footage, anything to start an investigation which would result in a successful prosecution?
It's not what you know. It's what you can prove in court.
You can't leave us hanging like that! What happened to them?
I've had my car keyed (from front bumper to rear tail light - every panel even the fuel cap - included): it's the most dickless, balless, poncy form of vandalism one can stoop to. Bored children to blame in this case.
Nonetheless, we reported it to the police per our insurers request, it was covered 100% under insurance and it did not affect our no-claim status (as we weren't at fault, obviously). Aside from having no car for close to a fortnight, it was no problem at all.
I've not parked at that same shopping centre since!
Good luck, OP.
Which shopping centre?
A Centro shopping centre in a regional NSW town. We even parked in full view of the parking cameras, but centre management were too useless to spot anything on their footage (I'm sure they watched at 16x speed while doing other things, no real due diligence).
@dzam72: The amount of trouble one would have to go through for this 'loophole' is so absurd as to be irrelevant.
Whilst it sounds obvious it's not your fault in this case, doesn't this open a loophole that could allow unscrupulous people to key their own car, claim it as vandalism just to get a new paint job on a panel which may need it? Assuming insurance companies say this is covered 100% and not impact no-claim…
It's tempting to think that the OP did something to bring this onto himself, because that way we think we drive safely and s*!t like this won't happen to us. Truth is some people out there are total d**ks who do things like this for no reason at all.
My car (a new corolla nothing fancy) got egged during school holidays in a 'good' residential area lower north shore in Syd, chipped the metallic paintwork on the main body.
@OP what I did was take my car to a local repair shop I trust for a repair estimate, came in at over $1k so had to claim it on insurance. Insurer wanted a police event number so you will need to report. Went to local station and whilst sympathetic they got me to call the police assistance line, so you're probably better off calling them directly and saving yourself the trip. The operators actually asked me for a damage estimate for their reporting, and also said even if you're not going through insurance reporting crimes like this helps them with planning their patrols.
Also my advice is don't leave the damage unrepaired; instead of feeling f'd off when you're paying your excess, you'll feel f'd off each and every day you drive your car. Not to mention all other things being equal, no one will buy a second hand car that has unrepaired damage ie you'll get the repair back in resale and liquidity.
it happened to me once, I did not realized at all that I parked in reserved area, my car were deep scratched from back to front both sides, my two front tyres are also punctured. What a nightmare.
I honestly didn't think I would find those stupid road ragers on this forum, I'm a little disappointed now.
My wife Audi A3 has been keyed while parking in a Pharmacy private car parks in Springvale for about 30minutes while we wait inside to buy meds. Keyed from front all the way to tail light.
Devastated and pissed, Pharmacy wont show us their security camera (only at car park entry). I have heard a girl did it, and this girl has been caught once keying only new car.
Police doesn't want to know, Police doesn't want to involve.
Hope Karma will bite "their ass" whoever did that!
Hope Karma will bite "their ass" whoever did that!
It won't.
I make a conscious effort to park so it allows other drivers' enough room to open their doors without hitting my car, and vice-versa.
More times than not, I have parked well within the lines to find another car almost touching near the driver's seat. I had to go through the passenger seat. I was disappointed, but you get over it. I try to park now where the driver's seat is not facing another car (usually at the start of allowed parking, not always possible).
Another time, I saw someone purposely open the door and hit my car. They had plenty of room and still pushed it all the way. No consideration.
I don't think it's hard to park properly and to respect other vehicles. Mentally, it's not difficult to do.
I haven't been keyed yet, but I can only imagine how terrible it feels if you have just purchased your dream car after years of savings.
And that's why we can't have nice things.
Some people are just f#cktards. I do the exact same thing, but some people just have no proper sense.
I do the exact same thing as you do. Always try not to block other drivers and try to find a place which is not crammed or try to find the one next to a curb so that I can park touching the curb and leaving heaps of space for other driver to fully open his door (in case if the next driver is not considerate on the others)
I always keep my hand to the edge when I open my car door not to touch the next car in case if it's too close. Mine is a big SUV and still I do this all the time thinking about others. My wife does the same and both kids do the same. It's amazing when you teach the right thing to the kids they always follow that and keep that in mind. Put the right thing into their heads when they are very small it'll propagate a long way. My mom did the same when I was small.
I too have a very bad experience once when I just bought my brand new dream car just after 2 months I went and parked at IKEA car park where no other cars were around. Went to the back and took the pram and went for shopping. Came back after shopping to find out that another car (red mazda 6) quiet new year, had gone couple of feet into my parking lot and gone under my car and scratched the back buffer and stopped there. I couldn't even open the back door to put the pram in. It's very strange that the other driver went into my car while driving to the front. Mine is a big SUV and reversed parked. So they can easily see mine in front of them like a wall. I waited for about 15 minutes and the other driver didn't come. So I had to go as I had swimming lessons for my kid. When I took my car out, I saw the scratches in the back buffer. Unfortunately I didn't have a toe-bar. The red Mazda had so many dents and scratches in it's bonnet and front buffer even though it's a quiet new car. That explained that it's their normal way of parking. Keep driving until it hits something and then leave it there and go. I still have the pictures of that car. Never complained to Police. I don't think they would do anything for that anyway.
Depends on how much the cost is to fix it. If it's less than the excess then obviously pay to fix it yourself, if it's more than the excess then yeah tell your insurance company. Otherwise as you've said in previous comments it's a 2nd hand car, so you could also leave it. The thing is, it doesn't matter what you drive, someone's gonna damage it, people just don't care. I wanted to install a camera that could get a 360 view from inside the car to at least catch most of what was going on if anything happened when the car was unattended, never got around to it though. I drive a 86 GTS and in less than a year I've had chips and dents from people banging their car doors on mine. It really gets ya riled up but there isn't much you can do about it. I don't even plan to fix it straight away because if I do, it's just gonna happen again and again, even if I rarely go out, which makes it worse. I'm planning on selling it and going back to a 2nd hand car, that way it won't hurt as much finding a scratch or something. Will still hurt but not as much xD
Man I hear you. I bought a red gts 86 last July and I'm afraid to drive it to work . There were two incidences where a person open their door to quickly and hit my car. Was in my car when it happened. When I got out to inspect the person ignored me and left for the centre. I checked for damages luckily there weren't any.
Btw I was sitting in my car for half an hour during my break and two people did it. So imagine if you do a 10 hr shift.
Idk I had my fun with the car and it was my first car and a manual one at that. Wonder how much it has depreciated since my purchase. Its done less than 5000 km
Oh man, I'd have had a go at them if I caught them but it's lucky there was no damage. Depreciation won't be much actually. Mines under 4000km as well. Could probably still get retail for it. Mine maybe less with some of the little dings. It was my 2nd car, it surprisingly got boring very fast didn't it? lol Mine was also my everyday car but now it kind of just sits in the garage unused since I don't go out anymore and I'm unemployed. Also when I took it to work I used to try and park inbetween other staff or find areas no 1 parked, even if it meant walking a bit extra. Parking in mall carparks are the worst though.
You got down voted, in real life.
Noted.
Perhaps you should stick to bagging coffee.
I also do the same thing. Will take 2-3 minutes extra for me to park - just to make sure cars on either has enough space. I have seen people just driving in and leaves wherever they want and walk away.
Another thing - allowing merging. sometimes people are just like they are going to fight and not let other person get in front even when there is a merge sign as the lane is ending. There is another group who goes all through the bus lane and all of sudden flashes the indicator and slip in. Another type is those which cuts in your lane when you leave gap in the intersections. Horrible. This is a daily scene in Victoria Rd, Sydney.
Many a time I feel I should alone be a law abiding citizen - I am not the Gandhi of this time. Then I will think - if I were also doing the same, what difference it makes between me and those idiots.
Keying is so 1995. I'd much prefer to shred the tires. All four of them. Then break all the windows. Then take a dump on the roof. If you want to prove a point, at least put some effort into it.
If I could be bothered, I'd make a whole stack of bumper stickers that are just large enough for other drivers to read, but not large enough for the car owner to notice (hopefully) too quickly.
Stickers with slogans like "Honk if you love penis as much as I do"
and little drawings of cartoon penises (penii?) with love hearts all around them.
I'd have to get some proper stickers that don't stick to or damage paint work, though. Or get them made as magnets.
Or just draw the penises on their windows in whiteboard marker.
You are penis obsessed.
Is OP an old lady who parks their car in two available car spots? xD
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/138320
Keying someone's car is a low act, an educated and cultured person would never do that.
However, this post did make me realise that my situation could be worse
got keyed twice on my car, first was 3 years ago at the QV shopping centre (Melbourne) after 1 week old of my car. was parked in the parents with pram spot (yup, i have a baby, imo im entitled to park, i have a baby capsule in my car). not sure why?
2nd time, was last year in Sydney when I went for a cruise with P&O, parked at the car-park at the cruise terminal. this time, 3 different locations keyed.
really breaks my heart when i saw them :(
i ended up calling the same guys to fix it for me. the touch-up guys. they came over, done within 2 hours. costs me about $250. it will depends on how deep is it. those deep keyed are still visible if you go near it.
It will buff out if you can be bothered… I had a bad scratch over 2m long and was amazed that the body shop for $30 took less than 5min to buff out with some cut'n'polish and an electric buffer! You can also 'magic pen' the offending scratch, they cost $30ish at kmart/bigW and car stores
Do magic pen's work?
What type of car do own? This usually only happens to very expensive cars or if you've done something like cut someone off or parked in handicapped spot etc.
You would have to claim it on your own insurance and unless you know who did it, you're responsible for the excess and it will effect your no claim bonus.
You could see if someone would fix it (mobile paint repairs) for less than your excess and then you don't lose your no claim bonus.