Anxious drivers in the UK are increasingly opting to park further from their destinations to avoid stressful parking situations, according to new research by Tempcover. A survey of 2,000 UK car owners revealed significant insights into parking-related anxiety and behavior.

Key findings from the survey:

• 24% of drivers deliberately park further away to avoid difficult parking spaces
• 32% avoid parallel parking and reverse bay parking
• 23% have abandoned parking attempts due to difficulty
• 23% rely heavily on parking sensors
• 15% have damaged their own car while parking
• 6% have damaged other vehicles during parking attempts
• 9% pre-plan their parking locations due to anxiety

Common parking avoidance behaviors:

• Parallel parking (32%)
• Reverse bay parking (32%)
• Parking on hills (22%)
• Forward bay parking (13%)

Expert advice from Claire Wills-Mckissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover:

• Consider using an any-driver insurance policy to allow friends or family to help with difficult parking
• Practice parking during quieter times
• Plan parking spots in advance to reduce stress
• Pull over safely and swap drivers when needed

These findings highlight the widespread nature of parking anxiety among UK drivers and suggest that many motorists prioritize stress reduction over convenience when choosing where to park their vehicles.

For drivers looking to build confidence, practicing during off-peak hours and utilizing parking assistance features can help develop better parking skills while minimizing anxiety.

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