34 million motorists get stressed when driving
New research from Churchill Car Insurance reveals that 34 million (87%) of Britain’s motorists find driving stressful.
According to motorists, fellow drivers are the main cause for stress on the road. Tailgating is the most common trigger, with more than 12 million drivers (30%) stating they find being closely followed by another motorist extremely stressful. Furthermore, around 11 million drivers deemed abusive drivers (29%) and inconsiderate drivers (28%) very stressful elements of driving. Lack of signalling was also named as a stress-creator by nearly eight million motorists (20%).
Traffic adds to stress
Britain’s drivers also seem stretched for time with factors that add unexpected minutes on to car journeys also being classed as very stressful. Eight million drivers (20%) find themselves getting stressed out by traffic jams, 6.4 million (16%) by road works and 5.9 million (15%) being stuck behind a slow vehicle. Finding somewhere to park (5.8 million) and unplanned detours (5.4million) were also cited as stress triggers for millions of motorists.
Factors that motorists find most stressful
| Factor | Percentage of drivers that find it very stressful | Estimated number of drivers that find it very stressful |
| Tailgating | 30% | 12.0 million |
| Abusive drivers | 29% | 11.4 million |
| Inconsiderate drivers | 28% | 11.1 million |
| Traffic jams | 20% | 8.0 million |
| Lack of signalling | 20% | 7.8 million |
| Road works | 26% | 6.4 million |
| Being stuck behind a slow vehicle | 15% | 5.9 million |
| Finding somewhere to park | 15% | 5.8 million |
| Unplanned detours | 14% | 5.4 million |
| Distracting passengers | 9% | 3.6 million |
| Parking the car | 8% | 3.1 million |
| Following Satnavs | 5% | 2.0 million |
Source: Churchill Car Insurance 2019
However, many motorists appear to be exacerbating the problem with bad driving behaviours. More than 15 million drivers (38%) admitted to swearing or gesticulating at other drivers in the past year, with another 13.6 million (34%) admitting to shouting at another driver.
Nearly half of motorists (18.7 million) admitted to driving over the speed limit in the past year. A further 5.5 million (14 per cent) have tailgated another car and 4.8 million (12%) have cut someone up. The stress can get too much for some, with 5.3 million drivers (13%) admitting to drinking more alcohol than they usually would once they had reached their destination.
Stress-induced actions carried out by motorists in the past 12 months
| Actions motorists have done while driving | Percentage of motorists | Estimated number of motorists |
| Driving over the speed limit | 49% | 18.7 million |
| Swearing or gesticulating at another driver or passenger | 38% | 15.0 million |
| Shouting at another driver | 34% | 13.6 million |
| Deliberately driving below the speed limit | 27% | 10.5 million |
| Shouting at a passenger | 23% | 8.9 million |
| Tailgating another car | 14% | 5.5 million |
| Drinking more alcohol than they usually would once arrived at a destination | 13% | 5.3 million |
| Starting an argument with or threatened another driver | 12% | 4.9 million |
| Cutting another vehicle up | 12% | 4.8 million |
Source: Churchill Car Insurance 2019
Churchill is warning motorists that driving while feeling stressed could have a negative impact on more than just mental wellbeing, with academic studies reporting that being stressed while driving elevates levels of aggression and tension and can therefore increase the chances of being involved in a collision.
More than a third of motorists (2.8 million) who have been involved in an accident in the past year believe that being stressed while driving was a contributing factor in the incident, with almost a million of these incidents rated as ‘serious’.
Alex Borgnis, head of Car Insurance at Churchill, said:“The majority of motorists will have experienced a stressful situation when driving. Whether it be coming face to face with an abusive driver, being stuck in a traffic jam or having to take a different route because of road works.
“With a third of people who have been involved in a collision in the past year claiming stress was a factor, it is important to remember that driving requires full concentration and remaining calm behind the wheel is essential in order to keep everyone safe.
“Allowing more time to get to your destination, taking regular breaks and playing your favourite music are simple ways that can help you to feel relaxed on the road and arrive at your destination safely and in the best head space.”