January 14, 2015
Have you had your car “keyed” while parking in a supermarket car park? You’re not alone, paint scratching was the most common form of car vandalism in Queensland last year according to the RACQ.
The motoring and insurance organisation said research showed nearly one in five Queensland drivers had experienced malicious damage to their car.
Spokesman Mike Sopinski said most acts were random and the offenders were rarely identified.
“The most common form of car vandalism is when vehicles are ‘keyed’ or have paint scratched (42 per cent), followed by car windscreens and windows being damaged (18.6 per cent) and panels kicked in (8.1 per cent),” Mr Sopinski said.
“It can be very frustrating for victims of malicious damage as the offenders are often not found.
“Although in some cases, given the nature of damage to the car, it can indicate a personal connection. Jilted ex-lovers or someone with a vendetta can also be to blame.”
Mr Sopinski said while there were many similar types of vandalism reported, the study found some more bizarre incidents.
“There were some very strange incidents, including sugar being placed in a fuel tank, a car driven down a boat ramp, paint stripper being poured over a car, and even one car being reversed over by a larger vehicle,” he said.
RACQ research identified other rates of malicious damage to cars including:
- Tyres slashed (6.2 per cent)
- Tyres deflated (4.2 per cent).
- Parts stolen, including wheels (4 per cent)
- Badges stolen (3.4 per cent)
- Egged (2.8 per cent)
- Graffiti (1.7 per cent)
- Set on fire (1.1 per cent)
[Stock image by FreeFoto.Com]
