"It happened on private property so there’s nothing we can do" So If you decided to get Drunk and do Donuts round B&Q's car park the Police could do nothing? I doubt that very much.

The guys at the start: "why is this guy telling his car he's back at B&Q??"

a driving instructor corrects the police that's when you know they just don't give a damn anymore.

“I never did that”. This is just the type of person who needs to be banned off the road for driving without due care or attention. Such a joke the police wouldn’t help you either 😠

You still can sue her in civil court. I personally would do that she can't get away with this sort of behaviour.(if you added legal protection to your motor insurance you won't pay a penny)

It’s that classic case of “I’ll park away from everyone else, out the way” only to come back and fined someone has still parked right next to you even though there’s loads of spaces around your own car. That does annoy me.

Ashley is someone that would be great in a crisis. A calm and measured approach to life. That is something that I am striving for.

My biggest annoyance with parking is when you go out your way to park far away as possible and someone has to still park right next to you like why?

Still galling, though. She's out there, probably denting another even as we speak.

Can't imagine the police doing nothing if she dented a police car. "Oh well. It's on private land. We should have known better." 🤷‍♂️

This is why I always park at the back out the way in the empty spaces. No one can be bothered to walk the extra 1 minute from the car park.

Had the same happen to me at Ikea. Was actually walking back to the car, albeit quite far away when I saw someone pulling in who looked super close and saw a little jiggle from the car. Sure enough they ended up driving through the bay and there was a streak along the side of the car the same colour as theirs. Same story with the police, asked Ikea for the CCTV, told the police have to request it but they never did. Now my cars 16 years old, but thats not the point, it's MY car that someone else has damaged. I take care of it, keep it in good nick, for someone else to just damage it brazenly and drive off because they knew they could probably get away with it is infuriating

“It happened on private property so there’s nothing we can do” So if I was say, the IRA, would I get away with bombing a car on private property?

Judging by her parking ability she could do with a few lessons

In similar circumstances my insurer's pursued the other driver up to the court stage and we won.failure to report an accident to insurer's will effect the premium if insurer's find out on both sides.Please take her through the process and get the menace off the road

You can fill in a V888 form from the DVLA to obtain the information about the registered keeper, as you have a reasonable reason for wanting information about them. You can ask for their name and address, which you can then use (along with your dashcam footage) to claim against their insurance instead of yours. This, of course, depends on the lady’s car actually being insured - if it wasn’t, it could be a reason why she didn’t stop - and whether or not you decide you want to make a claim or pay for it from your own pocket. Hope this helps and you can get it sorted :)

I admire Ashley's calm view of this situation .... very philosophical.

This is why I park horizontal across 3 spaces.

You could park in the middle of an empty car park and find someone parked next to you when you came back.

Hi ash. Had a similar incident happen to me at the start of the year and it only felt like I was punished for it. I was parked up at work and decided to stay and do some extra hours, in that time a car had hit me in the carpark, somehow making a mess of three panels on my golf. I was very very lucky that somebody witnessed it and wrote the old ladies reg down. She knew she hit me, got out of the car and looked then drove off. The lovely lady left me a note with her details and the reg of the driver. I got in contact with the police who did handle it brilliantly, they visited her address and she accepted liability and I got her details but sadly as my car was damaged and i needed it fixing, I’d already gone through my insurance by the time she accepted it. I had to pay £300 per month for my insurance for the next 9 months! It was a nightmare. It only recently got cleared and I’m now paying peanuts so I guess it’s worked out in the end. Hate that people will damage such expensive property and try to just walk away.

It's been a while since I passed my test, but I've learned from Ashley that you can never stop learning to be a better driver. I live these videos.

I knew the Police would not get involved and that is a real shame. As you said there should be a deterrent and she should have been prosecuted or given points. One thing I love about the Tesla Model 3 is the sentry mode and it’s ability to record when people come close to the car. I’m glad the insurance have sorted this though.

Great story, information and production quality. Loving these vids! Congrats on the growing success Ashley.

Ashley, your videos came into my recommended list around 6 months ago. I have a keen interest in driving matters and I have to say I wish you were my instructor back when I was learning to drive. You're definitely one of the best instructors out there and you're a credit to the profession. As for the police response, it's not surprising at all. Other people have made valid points about their attitude. The fact that it had to get passed to someone with "higher authority" tells you the state of policing today. In other YT videos they have been seen googling the laws on their phones!

I very rarely reverse into a parking space. There is a problem with reversing into spaces when out shopping, that it is very difficult to empty your shopping trolley into the boot if you don't have access to the back of the car.

So now the old lady is going to keep on doing this, joke police

If she'd have hurt your feelings on Twitter 6 of them would have kicked her door in

As always, another nice video!

Been waiting for this update!

I had someone Lane change into me causing damage to my front wing. He pulled up but not to give me his details just to physically assault his female passenger and kick her out the car. Given the manner of his driving and his behaviour I suspected he was drunk or under the influence of something. The police did attend to ensure the passenger was OK and take details from me but a couple of weeks later I got a letter saying they were unable to trace the driver. Direct line on the other hand did manage to trace the driver and get his insurance company to pay up for repairs.

The problem with the UK car parks is that they are too small. It is a major issue to open car doors without touching the car next to you. In the USA car park bays are so wide; you could fit a Range Rover in very comfortably.

I used to work for Sainsbury’s, the amount of cars damaged in the car park was incredible, I remember one old woman managed to hit 10 cars in one incident, the police definitely got involved in that one.

it's always the old woman in a crappy early 2000s hatchback that has no idea of their surroundings that causes damage like this. total lack of awareness, shouldn't be on the roads

When parking like that I make it a rule to leave by turning left, when I turn right I risk clipping that hidden cheeky little kerb!

Credit to you for being so calm and level headed. I just know I’d never be as composed as you. That lady shouldn’t be in control of a vehicle, nearly hitting the bollards whilst reversing after already hitting you.

Typical police response. It is a good job that you know the laws and can argue the case with the police instead of just getting told to do one. It just shows you that sometimes you need to get the facts all in order before speaking to the police. Hopefully your insurance company will contact her insurance and get the money back from them.

I had exactly the same thing happen to me but the lady hit my car 3 times then drove off.the security men on the cameras gave me the video and I tuck it to the police and she admitted responsibility and paid for repairs

I can recommend the Thinkware range of dash camera’s, when hardwired they have a very good parking mode. I personally always park as far as possible from the main entrance of whatever retail establishment I’m visiting so to lower the risk of dents etc. The amount of times I see people getting out of cars and swinging the door open into the adjacent car is ridiculous. Another tip is not to park next to 3 door cars as they usually have larger & heavier doors resulting in more potential damage when opened and I never park next to really old cars as they have nothing to lose anyway. Rant over.

My parking strategy is exactly the same. Have a dashcam hardwired front and rear. Luckily I drive a 4wd with steel front bar and rocksliders on the side, even if someone would hit my car they are more likely to damage their car and leave mine unscathed. Recently discovered your channel and have been binge watching, love your attitude towards other road users and calm and informative tips. Keep it up!

It's happened to me six times in the past eleven years. Just caught my first H&R on my dash cam! Bought one after someone wrecked my front quarter panel, broke the headlight and indicator, popped my tyre, bent a suspension link and left the car undriveable. Had to get a flatbed.

Don't park next to the trolley park either. Sue her for the damage and inconvenience. My old Passat had heavy duty bump strips along the side, it would have shrugged that off- why are cars so fragile now?

You and I have the same parking strategy! It drives my (non car owning) friends nuts as they have to walk an extra 5 metres! Honestly though, it drives me nuts that people who do this almost always get away with it. Judging by her abysmal parking and reversing skills, I would agree she has probably done this before and will do it again.

Old video I know but this video calmed me down alot after being a victim myself of a hit and run on my car last night whilst the car was parked outside my house. Thanks bud, great video!

I like your attitude and appreciate what you are doing to foster a good driving community. I once skidded on some black ice into a parked car which in turn moved a half foot and picked up some kerb damage. I felt awful and didn't have any paper to leave a note. I waited 2hours parked opposite and the owner returned. He hadn't noticed anything. I had to run over as he would have left. Turned out to be an unmarked police car and far from being angry the guy was surprised at my honesty. The matter was settled quickly and my conscience is intact. It really is a simple matter of accepting responsibility. It saddens me that neither the driver or her passenger made any attempt to take responsibility for their actions.

Police wont even investigate if you have had a rock thrown through your house window and broke into, let alone investigate a scratch on the side of a car

Plus what if she or anyone hits a police car in a car park then how's that work is there nothing they can do.

I tend to look for the spaces nobody goes to; right at the back of the carpark, then nobody parks near you.

Really poor showing from the police. Your one damaged your car and suffers no consequences. How does that work. If I went out and purposely did the same amount of damage in my local supermarket car park, I’d 100% be expecting some sort of punishment.

You can bet that if you had been a copper or worked for the cops. It would have become a police matter they would be doing something. One rule for them, another for the rest of us.

I feel like going trough insurance has become a last resort mean to get things done... I live in Paris, streets are tight and bigger cars don't even fit in the 2 meter wide parkings spots. In 12 years of ownership of our Saab, we have reported 3 incidents to our insurance company and they ended up terminating our contract despite the fact that we were never at fault and were always able to provide the information of the driver at fault... When you get your contract terminated by an insurance company, it is very difficult to find a company that will work with you. In order to re-insure the Saab, we ended up going to insurance companies saying "if you work with us, we will insure our five cars with you + the house". I once hit the mirror of a parked car, I stopped, left my phone number on the car and ended up paying 80 euros for the repairs and that was the end of it. The owner of the other car couldn't believe I had the decency of owning up to my mistake.

Really interesting and informative

Thanks a lot Ashley for pointing out the potential pitfalls of parking on car park's with their narrow deadly little parking bays and all.. I wish I could be as calm and deep thinking as you following such an incident but my anger levels would be critical and I may do and say things to regret later I am afraid.. Thanks for being selfless and sharing your wisdom and experiences with your fellow motorists mate..👍👍

Damn she's dangerous. rams into you first, then almost reverses into something else and then has to back out 5 or so times to finally park. Am I weird for not trusting peoples driving skills if they always park in forwards?

They didn't prosecute Sir Jimmy Saville, they didn't prosecute Sir Cyril Smith, so it is not surprising that they didn't prosecute her.

This is why it’s important to have a dash cam in your vehicle. Things like parking mode and impact recording are a must. WiFi is also a good feature as you can view recorded footage directly on your smartphone.

I parked in a small pub car park some thirty years ago and before dash cams - only to return to find the offside passenger door crushed in and an empty car park. Many drivers have no conscience. It’s one of the risks today’s drivers take. Good advice, Ashley.

My mum got charged and had to appear in court for the exact same thing, she didn’t realise to her mistake however she got fined £1100 and 6 points

Oh god, police having to do their actual job?! What horror! Not really surprising though.

I agree with you on parking in specific places. I am always very careful with this as many people are terrible at parking. Luckily in Australia though, we have larger parking spaces than in England (usually).

I had a similar incident in a Mcdonald's car park not far from where I live last year. But without dash cam footage chose to pay to have the damage repaired myself across my front bumper and below. The manager did say that of course only the police would have access to CCTV and I had a feeling going to them would be a waste of time. I now know that it would have been for certain after watching this video. One lesson I learnt now is only to park in wider spaces in my Golf R, if not park somewhere further away and walk. Sadly there are many incompetent drivers these days who can't park properly to save their lives.

Disappointing that the police will not prosecute, simple incident, clear video evidence, a clear view of her face. I'd guess any solicitor wold advise her to plead guilty, 10 minutes of court time. Watching it again, when she hit your car, the passenger did not flinch. This suggests she has done it before, as he's quite used to it.

That lady was just asking for lessons, just in a poor way.

I always park at the furthest away spaces. I used to have a lovely Subaru Outback, and I took my mum to Sainsbury's, parked at the very edge of the parking spaces, no cars near me for a good few rows in all directions. Came out to a smashed mirror and scrape on the door! Now I've got a wee Focus, it just gets parked anywhere now, with out much of a worry!

I've only once attempted a hit and run. As a student, I was manoeuvering out of a small carpark. I reversed and thought I hit another car. After another couple of minutes turning round (yes, the car park was tiny) I got out and found I had hit a low garden wall. Big, big sigh of relief. One evening I had a knock at my door and a new neighbour I had never met apologized for hitting my car while turning his lorry. My driver's door was banged in and I couldn't open it. Kudos for being honest as I would never have known until the next day.

Wild West in car parks now it seems.

Police are too busy monitoring twitter for mean or offensive tweets lol

I’ve been on both ends of this situation. Many years ago, when I was young and foolish, I clipped someone’s car and drove off. However, there was a witness and I was prosecuted for failing to stop/failing to report. This was on a public road, however, rather than a private car park. It taught me a lesson, though. More recently, I’ve been on the receiving end of car park dings and one more major incident and none of those offenders owned up or were caught, sadly.

I had a breakdown on a narrow elevated motorway with no hard shoulder, so tucked the car as close to the crash barrier as I could and left to get help (it was before mobile phones). B y the time I got back two things had happened. 1. A van had side swiped the offside, and 2. The motorway police had turned up and I now had a nice set of police cones protecting my car. The cop was friendly and apologetic that he hadn't got there in time to prevent the collision. He didn't hold out much hope of the other driver owning up. My car was damaged but cop advises it is drivable so I eventually get going again. Next morning police phone me. The driver has been into the station near the depot where the van was based with all her docs, including of course the insurance. Also a request from the driver for me to phone her. Police say that I don't have to phone her it is up to me and if i prefer I can do it all through insurance. I decide to call her anyway. She was most apologetic and was worried that she had damaged my pride and joy. I was able to reassure her that, no, it was temporary vehicle while i was between cars and the only damage was to a link of metal. So I was glad we had spoken. That conversation made us both feel better. I was able to thank her for coming forward and she said it hadn't occurred to her not to. She had briefly stopped in front of my car but felt it too dangerous to get out of her transit van, and had gone back to her depot to get the insurance docs (company van, not a personal one) and straight to the police station. She hadn't thought to take my reg or couldn't see it from within her vehicle, so the overnight delay was the time it took the local police to link the reports from the traffic cop who took my details with the report from the police station. Their insurance company decided to write my car off and paid me more than I had hoped for. But the reason I posted this story is in response to your content that you couldn't bear to damage someone else's property: this lady clearly felt as you do: having done the damage she did all she reasonably could to make amends. Her coming forward made a big difference to me, as her insurance admitted liability so it didn't affect my no claims bonus: a good thing as the reason I was between cars was that I was already waiting for an insurance payout after writing off a nearly new car in a previous accident which had been entirely my fault. Two write offs in a fortnight, but only one of them down to me... The worst month of my driving history, but softened by her grace in owning up.

Quite amazed police wont act on this. You got clear footage with numberplates and her image saying 'i never done that'. Private property or not, the lady should be held responsible. I'm quite certain Dutch police would have acted on this...

Question : If someone murders someone on "private land", is it not a police matter, then?

When I got to public car parks, take the Tesco near me, I always park as far away from the entrance as I can. Less people park further away so it tends to be quieter.

Hi Ashley As an ADI both Learner and Fleet qualified (1983 and 2008 respectively) I watch your clips with interest and concur with all your sentiments about minimising car park risk. Most recently my daughter had exactly the same thing happen to her car. Despite her F&R dash cams, it failed to get the Reg No. of the 4x4 that reversed into the rear N/S passenger door (massive dent). As the car park was covered by cctv she has made a FOI request to the car park owners and is currently waiting their reply. As you say, some (too many these days) people have no morals or conscience and with the Police not prepared to take the matter further it will get worse.

If I was in the same situation, I would try to wait for the owner to turn up, apologies and share my details if need be.

Mate you have a BMW arent you allowed to park across 2 spaces?

This happened to my wife's car in a supermarket car park and the other party also moved their car to another space before entering the store. Fortunately another woman who witnessed it, took down both registrations and went in and asked for the staff to put out a call on the PA to ask both owners to come forward. My wife and I went to the service desk, where the witness explained what happened. Then surprisingly the other woman sheepishly appeared and apologised for her careless driving and her following actions. Together we inspected the damage which was slight, a broken rear lens and a scrape from the wheel arch to the lens. We got an estimate from a local bodyshop and the other party paid, avoiding an insurance claim. A good result for all. And my wife caught up with the witness as she left the store with her shopping and thanking her placed a bottle of wine and some chocs in her trolley.

Very well put video, Iv never hit or damaged another car in 22 years , but yes oh my days have received so much damage to my cars while they are parked :(

Guess we aren't surprised by this.... 😕

Would your insurance not have contacted hers through her reg and after seeing the footage and sorted it out between themselves?

Thanks for the information, I genuinely didn’t know the facts and the law on this matter, I feel for you when you say it’s only plastic and steel that was damaged, I don’t own a new car but when I park on a car park i try to leave sufficient room for others. People who damage other people’s car’s then drive away are selfish and arrogant, hope you’re car gets repaired soon

Nice update Ash, with some key learning points too! Lots seem to have a full DL? But not the required skills for sure... 🥴🤦🏽‍♂️

What really annoys me when people can't own up to a mistake and instead go straight into denial and get defensive. With no punishment why should she care when she can get away with it. Luck was on your side here mate.

Wow, if she'd made an unacceptable tweet they would be there in a shot!!!

this is the most underrated channel out there.

I watched this with much interest (as I do with your other excellent videos too) but this one was particularly thought provoking. In such car parks I always park further away from the stores where there are fewer cars, as you suggest. The only problem is that these areas are also where the "boy racers" sometimes meet up, but I've never seen any driving antics from them so far (I live in a different part of England). If a car park is busy, then I also do the same as you advise, by trying to find a free bay at the end of a row and parking near the outer kerb, which usually does give you a lot more space on the opposite side. I only drive used cars which I mostly service and maintain myself, so the odd dent or scratch I can usually repair. But as you say, it is only a metal box at the end of the day. The big problem is that the majority of people are just so impatient, irresponsible and inconsiderate nowadays, so they just don't care if they damage someone else's car with their bad driving. However, after watching many of your videos, and especially this one, I am now seriously contemplating buying a dash cam with front and rear views. Many thanks and please keep up the good work, which is much appreciated and very educational to watch (and I have been driving a car for nearly 40 years and a motorbike for 20 years).

I remember something similar happening on my industrial estate. Somebody reversed in to my car and broke my headlight lens. My car was parked outside my workplace and had a nest CCTV camera covering it too. I had a look at the footage and the person who did it was none other than the local courier who comes to our unit pretty much every day at the same time. He must have been terminally stupid to come back because I was waiting for him with footage and asked him why he didn't tell anybody about it. He didn't really have an answer and expected to get away with it. Anyway, we managed to sort it and he paid me £300 for a new headlight and a few hour's labour because the front bumper has to be removed to change headlights on my Audi.

Even if you park quiet area, someone will still park next to you.

Hey man nice channel.👍 Can feel your pain. Last year. Had parked mine at far and quiet corner of the ASDA carpark only to come back to about 14inch vertical dent on my driver door.🤦 No note or nothing. Had to spend 200£ on DPR. Lucky paint wasn't damaged.

I know the feeling, I only just got my Audi A5 back in August 2019 and at Tesco car park got a scuff on the wheel arch front right. When I asked for a video footage for the insurance was told violates data protection. A dash cam is a solid investment but your lucky it was running for sometime.

This is just one reason why I drive a pre-dented 15 year-old car. If someone hits me, it's just another scratch to add to the collection.

give the old bat a call and confront her. That would make a good video

I still can't believe how calmly and professionally you have approached the situation. Sorry to see what happened, especially if this is a recently bought car. All the best Ashley, but IMO this woman should be reported again until the justice is being served.

Ashley, it must be something to do with DIY shops as a very similar thing happened to me at Wickes. My camera was off but I was fortunate enough to come out of the shop just as the culprit was leaving. It was a white van that had been parked in the next space but, like you, I had parked as far away from it as possible in what was actually a very wide space. He just pulled out at too sharp an angle and scraped across the front corner of my car. My insurance also waived the excess as it was clearly the other driver at fault and it was fully settled by his insurer but, annoyingly, it is still showing on the insurance accident database as being my fault (this happened in August 2018) which has an impact on my insurance renewals. I have tried, and am still trying, to get this put right but, although it sounds an easy fix, I haven't succeeded yet.

Hi Ashley, can I feature your hit and run video? Credited on screen and with a link back to you! Also, where did that happen and is there any update?

Yet another reason why the Police have lost respect from the public unfortunately. But, caught doing 31 in a 30 limit and they will throw the book at you! And, yes I know someone who has!

The car I drive for work, I always position in two spaces and if possible under a camera. They will look down on me for taking up two spaces, but the car is a 300.000 luxury sedan. It isn't illegal. It also has a dashcam and track & trace hardwired in, along with a few other security features.

I think the police should take action when an offence is committed, otherwise there is no point in that particular law/act. Taking formal police action against people also clarifies social boundaries around unacceptable behaviour, serving to reinforce what is considered the normal, good or ordinary thing to do (in this case, leave a note on Ashley's car). Without any formal punishment, the lady has merely been caught, and may as well take the same action the next time she hits a car because she can only gain by driving off (taking her chances she won't get caught).

I think we all need to give the police a call and ask them to explain why they're not charging her. Any idea which force it is?

The police are a waste of space. My car was smashed to pieces by a gang of travellers outside my house. I had it all on 4K CCTV from 3 angles. They told me the night it happened they wouldn't pursue it.

Great video Ashley I take exactly the same approach as you in a car park usually parking furthest away from the store too. To be honest this lady shouldn’t be on the road it’s a relatively small car she’s driving and yet it seems like she has no clue of how to control it. The fact her passenger has to physically bang on the side of the car to prevent her from ramming the trolley bay after she side swiped your car says it all really.

I park pretty much just like you described. If the carpark is large but there is an empty area "at the back" or away from shop entrances then I will park over there away from everyone and just get a wee bit of exercise in walking those few extra steps to the shops. If it is a smaller/busier carpark I will always look for that end bay which leaves only the potential for one car to park beside me and I will keep my car tight to the white line of the bay nearest the end. I also always reverse into parking bays because I drive a mk4 mondeo and these cars are notoriously long so very hard to drive straight into bays. I find that generally this works well but what I have seen on occasion is that the extra space that I leave for someone to open their door in the bay beside me, it actually invites bad drivers to drive into that bay because of the extra room. That is actually precisely what happened here in your case. Leaving the extra space makes the bad drivers think "Oh, I'll get in there" so taking all these steps to be as careful as possible can backfire on us when the bad drivers are out. I didn't like the way she even went up to your car after she hit it and said "I never did that" and she walks off. I hope she has learned from this but I doubt it.