British drivers: Third from top in European poll

Europeans consider the most responsible drivers to be from Sweden, followed by Germany and Britain. The least responsible drivers are considered to be from Italy, Greece and Poland.

A survey carried out for the Foundation for Responsible Driving by IPSOS examined the behaviour of drivers from ten European countries.

Some of the results are startling; Nine out of ten Europeans drivers admit breaking speed limits. At the same time they feel pessimistic about the future of road safety.

Only 55 per cent of respondents polled believe that the number of people killed in traffic accidents will continue to decline significantly in coming years (61 per cent in 2014).

In spite of the fact that the majority of drivers admit speeding, separate research commissioned by the ETA found that only one in ten drivers feels embarrassed about their behaviour behind the wheel.

Congestion, fuel prices and other motorists are perennial causes of stress, but one in three drivers said it was simply the mood they were already in that reflected in the way they drove.

Driving traits by region:

Drivers across all regions admitted their passengers had been surprised at how angry they become behind the wheel, although this was three times as likely to have happened to younger drivers as those aged over fifty-five.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.

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