One in seven would not leave details if they damaged a car in a car park

It's a nightmare scenario – you're trying to get into a particularly tight parking space and you accidentally bump the vehicle next to you. Would you do the right thing and leave your details or make a sharp exit?

New research from parking space rental company YourParkingSpace.com has revealed that one in seven of us would actually scarper from the scene without leaving our name, address or contact details.

Out of the 500 motorists surveyed, one in ten said they had damaged another car while trying to park, while 34% admitted they'd witnessed someone else denting another vehicle.

The Road Traffic Act (1998) makes it an offence to fail to stop and provide your contact details after a collision. The Act states: "If you're driving a motorised vehicle and are involved in an accident which causes damage or injury to another person, vehicle, property or animal, you must stop and give your vehicle registration with your name and address to anyone with reasonable grounds to be asking for those details."

The RAC advises that if you are unlucky enough to hit another car but the owner isn't around, you should leave a note with your contact number and jot down the details of any passengers or witnesses. They also remind drivers that they should tell their insurance company about any collision, no matter how minor.

Harrison Woods, MD of YourParkingSpace said: "Not only is this a motoring offence, it is also very inconvenient for the other motorist who, through no fault of their own, could have to pay to fix the damage to their vehicle."

Thankfully, the survey did highlight some good Samaritans, though – more than half of those surveyed said they'd be willing to 'intervene' if they saw someone knock into a parked car.

Make sure you are covered by visiting our car insursance page for more information.