Research by motoring solutions specialist, easytrip, Ireland's only parking and tolling provider, has revealed that over 40% of Irish drivers have admitted to parking on double yellow lines.

Other illegal parking behaviour included parking in a restricted loading bay (29%), parking at a bus stop (16%) and parking in a bus lane or clearway during restricted hours (15%).

The easytrip research has also revealed that more than half of male drivers preferred to park on-street compared to 33% female motorists. Of the female drivers surveyed, two thirds choose multi-storey car parks with reasons for choosing so including convenience, avoiding being clamped, safety and security and saving money compared to on-street.

The research also revealed that transport hubs (e.g. park and rides; rail stations; airports) and shopping centres are the most popular frequent parking locations.

Parking incidents are a common occurrence with the research revealing that over 40% of drivers found their car to be dented or scratched when parked.  This was followed by 12% of motorists getting clamped for parking in the wrong location and a fifth of those surveyed admitting that on occasion they couldn't find where they parked their car.

On a more positive note, it seems that we are a generous nation with 33% of respondents stating that another motorist had given them the remaining time on their parking ticket to use.

Respondents to the easytrip survey revealed that the most annoying parking habits for 82% of male respondents were drivers who took up two parking spaces while 90% of women found those that parked too close to their car as the most frustrating.
Other irritating habits included:

*         Parking in a disabled space - when they aren't disabled

*         Parking in a family car space - when they're not a parent with child

*         Robbing your parking space before you get a chance to move into it

*         Blocking the parking aisle while waiting for a space

Respondents were also asked to admit what habits they were guilty of and blocking the parking aisle while waiting for a parking space came out in pole position at 60%.  This was followed by admissions of parking too close to another car (33%), taking up two parking spaces (17%) and robbing another driver's parking space (15%).

"Parking our cars is a daily activity that can sometimes bring out the 'bad driver' in us all." says Colin Delaney, General Manager of easytrip.  "It's important to remember to park in allocated parking areas only, and as our survey reveals, between the lines and to be courteous to our fellow motorists.  Our easytrip parking tag can take the hassle out of parking and gives you over 10,000 secure and safe parking locations to choose from around Ireland."