UK drivers’ confidence on the road revealed: Southampton leads, Nottingham lags behind
A new survey from Compare the Market sheds light on UK drivers’ confidence levels, highlighting significant regional and situational disparities. The findings reveal where drivers feel most assured behind the wheel, the scenarios they find most daunting, and how maintenance tasks affect their ease on the roads.
Southampton emerged as the city with the most confident drivers, with 88% of motorists describing themselves as comfortable on the roads. Cardiff and Plymouth follow closely at 87%. Conversely, Nottingham has the highest proportion of uneasy drivers, with 11% admitting to lacking confidence, more than double the UK average of 5%.
Weather conditions are a common source of anxiety for drivers. More than a third (35%) of UK motorists feel uneasy driving on icy roads, while 31% lack confidence driving in snow. Even driving in the dark proves challenging, with only 67% of drivers reporting they are at ease in such conditions.
Passengers also play a role. Only 70% of parents feel confident driving with their children in the car, and just over half of drivers (52%) are comfortable with a ‘backseat driver’.
Driving abroad is the most unsettling scenario for British drivers, with 37% admitting to a lack of confidence. Differences in road rules, signs, and driving orientations are likely contributors.
Vehicle type also impacts confidence. Drivers of petrol cars feel more at ease (84%) than their electric vehicle counterparts, who report nearly 10% less confidence.
When it comes to car maintenance, many drivers struggle. While 78% feel confident defogging their windscreen, just 67% know how to check or refill coolant or antifreeze. The data highlights a significant gap in confidence for technical tasks, such as changing tyres or oil, with 38% of drivers reporting discomfort. Checking brake fluid levels and jumpstarting a battery are similarly low on the confidence scale.
Julie Daniels from the car insurance team at Compare the Market, said: “Firstly, it’s important to plan your journey ahead of time to help ease stress while on the roads. Take a look at your route beforehand to minimise the risk of getting lost and try to avoid roads that might have a lot of traffic or congestion.
“Practice is also important. If you are not sure about how you might approach a situation, like driving in adverse weather conditions or at night, exposing yourself little by little to these situations is good practice and will help you feel more confident over time. You could even consider taking an advanced driving course where you can undergo scenario-specific lessons, such as how to drive on the motorway.
“No matter how at ease you feel on the roads, you must always stick to the speed limit, and do your best to avoid distraction. If you’re not completely comfortable, make sure to maintain a reasonable and steady speed, so you’ll have more time to assess the road ahead and make informed decisions.”
