These are the biggest stressors for UK drivers - do you agree?

These are the biggest stressors for UK drivers - do you agree? (Photo: Shutterstock)These are the biggest stressors for UK drivers - do you agree? (Photo: Shutterstock)
These are the biggest stressors for UK drivers - do you agree? (Photo: Shutterstock)

Driving is the most stressful part of the day for a third of motorists, according to a study of more than 2,000 drivers.

More than 40 per cent of drivers feel more worried when they have passengers in their car, and just under half say that other people’s driving stresses them out more than their own.

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However, the research suggests that more than a quarter of people find some sense of release through driving, with some seeing car journeys as an escape from other worries.

What stresses you out behind the wheel?

The study, which was commissioned by Rescue Remedy, found that driving conditions play a major role in stressing out the UK’s motorists. Snow, rain, fog and the dark all rank in the top 10 concerns about driving, as well as potholes.

What other drivers do also has real potential to stress us out, with tailgaters being a top five concern, and the worry of larger vehicles getting too close to our cars another worry.

Our own driving skills can also cause problems, as one in five motorists admit they avoid parallel parking because they’re not confident enough, and a quarter find it stressful.

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Demanding drives leave us feeling overwhelmed

The research suggests that a bad drive can have significant knock-on effects, with more than 40 per cent of those surveyed saying a demanding drive leaves them feeling overwhelmed for the rest of their day.

A spokesperson for Rescue Remedy said, “It’s often hard to find balance and patience when there are a lot of external factors at play, and car journeys can often perpetuate worries about other life pressures.

"For many, this is what can make driving even more stressful, especially during a commute marred with delays, diversions and noise.

"It’s important to find balance during stressful times, so it’s good to know many people see the car as a place to escape other worries and take time to think.”

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Here is the full list of the 50 most stressful things about being in a car

1. Driving in the snow2. Driving in an unknown area3. Driving in the rain4. Tailgaters5. Hitting a pothole6. Driving in the fog7. Driving in the dark8. Feeling like a large vehicle e.g. lorry/bus is too close to your car9. Getting a warning light10. Finding a parking space11. Driving down narrow country lanes12. Driving with the fuel light on13. Having to reverse in a narrow road with cars either side14. Parallel parking15. Merging onto a motorway16. Hesitating about taking over a cyclist17. Blind corners18. Being watched by other people when trying to park19. Sitting in traffic20. Missing a motorway exit and having to drive all the way back around21. Having to change lanes in peak time22. Fear of people going into the back of you23. Mastering a three lane roundabout24. Leaving the motorway at the wrong junction25. Being the driver for passengers you're not very familiar with e.g. colleagues26. Sunday drivers27. Back seat drivers28. Doing a hill start29. Driving while your passengers are being loud30. Reversing out of a parking space31. Worrying about getting a flat tyre32. Hitting a car when parking33. Navigating a double roundabout34. Defrosting the car35. Pulling out around a bus at a bus stop36. Driving with a child in the car37. Taking over another vehicle on a motorway38. Rubber necking39. Being in a car with your partner40. Pulling out to join a roundabout41. Box junctions42. Driving somewhere with no signal43. Hitting a parked car when driving past it44. Remembering which side of the car the petrol cap is on45. Changing gear while driving up a hill46. Being in the wrong gear47. Driving with a pet in the car48. Not knowing how to fully work the lights49. Mini roundabouts50. Not knowing how to fully turn on the wipers

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