When it comes to driving, it seems that a few factors affect the way we behave on the roads, including our location. A study by tyre specialists ATS Euromaster was conducted to see whether factors like age, gender and region play a part in our driving etiquette in the UK. The results told us everything we need to know about how each demographic behaves on the roads.
For a start, when it comes to driving knowledge, there are a few rules the nation is unaware of:
- 30 percent of 18–35-year-olds were unaware that flashing another driver is permitted so long as you’re alerting them to your presence on the road.
- 43 percent of females didn’t know that splashing pedestrians is punishable by law.
- 66 percent of those from the South West did not know that your windows and roof need to be clear from snow after a snow dump.
- The majority of males were also unaware that snow needs to be cleared from your car’s exteriors.
So what are some of the key differences in driving knowledge along age lines?
- The most knowledgeable road users are between 55-65+, with 18-34s coming in last place .
- The majority of the 55-66+ group know that flashing headlights is for letting other drivers know you’re there.
- Younger drivers between 18-44 realise it’s antisocial to sound your horn in built up areas between 11.30pm and 7am. Older drivers answered this incorrectly.
- An alarming 70 percent of drivers aged 18-34 admitted to feeling anxious whilst driving. Older drivers seem to feel more relaxed on the roads, with only 25 percent of over 65s saying they also feel anxious.
- Almost half of the 18-34 age group think it’s fine to splash pedestrians, and don’t realise it’s an offence. Drivers aged 45-65+ know that doing so will land them a £5000 fine.
Region plays a part in driving, particularly London:
- Drivers from London are likely to be the most stressed on the roads. Other regions with the most stressed drivers include Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Leeds. Those who are calmest on the roads are from Belfast, Aberdeen, Cardiff and Liverpool
- Londoners are also guilty when it comes to zebra crossings, with 31 percent admitting they don’t stop for pedestrians who cross here. The other drivers in a rush are from Yorkshire and West Midlands. The drivers who always stop are from Scotland, East Anglia and Wales
- Those from London drive 121 miles per person per week, racking up the third highest number of miles travelled. They don’t fall too far behind Northern Ireland with 161 miles, and the North East with 134. Drivers who use their cars the least herald from the South West (99 miles) and South East (103).
Age and location are both key factors in the driving etiquette stakes. Those of us in London seem to be the most impatient and the most stressed, but there are gaps in driving knowledge across the country, as the survey reveals.
