The Most Common Habits of UK Drivers, Revealed
As a driving veteran, the simple act of getting into gear and heading to your destination probably isn’t something that regularly crosses your mind. But have you inadvertently picked up some bad habits on your daily commute?
To find out the truth behind the nation’s driving habits, we asked 2,000 UK motorists about their most common behaviours, including what they think about other drivers on the road.
Continue reading below, to find out how the nation really feels behind the wheel.
What are the most common driving habits of UK motorists?
In true British fashion, we found that UK drivers were very keen to show their gratitude to other road users. The vast majority of our respondents (63%) said they regularly raise their hand to signal thanks to other drivers, while 43% always flash their headlights to do the same (while friendly, this is actually a violation of the Highway Code).
However, not all respondents were so grateful to other drivers on the road. In fact, 18% admitted to honking their horn to show annoyance and 14% said they had experienced road rage due to the behaviour of other drivers.
Perhaps more concerningly, 21% of UK drivers confessed to driving over the speed limit, whereas 12% only indicated if there were other drivers on the road.
|
Most common ranking |
Driving habits |
Percentage of respondents |
|
#1 |
Raise hand to signal thanks to other drivers |
63% |
|
#2 |
Flash headlights to signal thanks to other drivers |
43% |
|
#3 |
Use phone for sat nav |
23% |
|
#4 |
Drive over the speeding limit |
21% |
|
#5 |
Play music loudly |
18% |
|
#6 |
Honk horn to indicate annoyance at another motorist |
18% |
|
#7 |
Experience ‘road rage’ due to other drivers |
14% |
|
#8 |
Only indicate if there are other drivers on the road |
12% |
|
#9 |
Drive while tired |
12% |
|
#10 |
Leave car turned on and unattended while it defrosts |
10% |
When asked about how they passed their time in the car, 66% of UK drivers said they favoured listening to music. A further 22% also said they used road trips to audition for their very own version of Carpool Karaoke, saying they liked to sing along loudly to the music in their car.
Taking the scenic route (27%), stopping at service stations (14%), and listening to podcasts (13%) were also nominated as popular pastimes for UK drivers.
|
Most common ranking |
Driving pastimes |
Percentage of respondents |
|
#1 |
Listen to music |
67% |
|
#2 |
Take more scenic routes to enjoy the countryside |
27% |
|
#3 |
Sing along loudly to music |
22% |
|
#4 |
Stop at service stations |
14% |
|
#5 |
Listen to podcasts |
13% |
|
#6 |
Eat snacks |
11% |
|
#7 |
Go to a drive thru |
10% |
|
#8 |
Call friends / family to catch up |
7% |
|
#9 |
Play games with passengers |
4% |
|
#10 |
None of the above |
12% |
Are UK drivers superstitious on the road?
From our aversion to broken mirrors to never opening an umbrella indoors, superstitions tend to crop up everywhere in everyday life. But how about on the road?
Surprisingly, only 20% of our respondents said they had some superstitions about driving, while the rest of UK drivers said they either weren’t a superstitious person or did not have any specific beliefs about driving.
Of those superstitious respondents, 31% said that they follow the same road routes as much as possible, while 30% said they saluted magpies on the road.
Magpies were not the only animal-related superstition, either. We found that 23% of superstitious drivers considered a bird pooing on their car to be good luck and 20% believed a black cat crossing in front of their car was bad luck.
|
Most common ranking |
Driving superstitions |
Percentage of respondents |
|
#1 |
I follow the same routes as much as possible |
31% |
|
#2 |
I salute to magpies on the road |
30% |
|
#3 |
I try to always park in the same place for good luck |
26% |
|
#4 |
I consider a bird pooing on my car to be good luck |
23% |
|
#5 |
I think a black cat crossing the street in front of me is bad luck |
20% |
|
#6 |
I have a ‘lucky’ item that I keep in my car |
18% |
|
#7 |
I hold my breath when driving under a tunnel |
14% |
|
#8 |
I throw change under the seat of a new car |
14% |
|
#9 |
I hold my breath when driving past a cemetery |
10% |
|
#10 |
None of the above |
12% |
What are the most noticeable good and bad behaviours of other motorists?
The survey found that drivers most appreciated it (54%) when fellow motorists kept a good distance in front of their vehicle. Drivers who indicated clearly before turning (48%) or who signalled thanks to own considerate behaviour (42%) were also extremely popular with UK motorists.
|
Most popular ranking |
Behaviours of other drivers |
Percentage of respondents |
|
#1 |
When they keep a good distance behind me |
54% |
|
#2 |
When they indicate clearly before turning |
48% |
|
#3 |
When they signal thanks to considerate behaviour |
42% |
|
#4 |
When they allow me to change lanes in traffic |
30% |
|
#5 |
When they let me have right of way |
22% |
|
#6 |
When they are patient if I make a mistake |
19% |
|
#7 |
When they drive within the speed limit |
17% |
|
#8 |
When they let me know about an upcoming hazard |
16% |
|
#9 |
When they brake smoothly |
14% |
|
#10 |
None of the above |
4% |
|
Most annoying ranking |
Behaviours of other drivers |
Percentage of respondents |
|
#1 |
When they tailgate |
47% |
|
#2 |
When they fail to indicate |
34% |
|
#3 |
When they use their phone while driving |
27% |
|
#4 |
When they drive with their lights on full beam |
19% |
|
#5 |
When they stay in the middle lane on the motorway |
17% |
|
#6 |
When they take up two parking spaces |
17% |
|
#7 |
When they drive significantly slower than the speed limit |
16% |
|
#8 |
When they honk their horn or flash their lights to hurry me |
14% |
|
#9 |
When they brake suddenly |
14% |
|
#10 |
When they try to get ahead of me at a lane closure |
13% |
As for the driving behaviours that motorists could do without, the survey found tailgating was the worst habit of other drivers, with 47% of respondents agreeing it ground their gears.
Our respondents also said they were constantly frustrated by drivers who failed to indicate (34%), used their phone while driving (27%), and put their headlights on full beam (19%). Interestingly, slower drivers were also considered a bigger annoyance (16%) than those who broke the speed limit (10%).
So there you have it: the best and worst habits of UK drivers on the road. For other motoring insights, take a look at our newsroom or browse our collection of new and used cars to see how you can upgrade your current car.