Motorists more miserable than ever

It seems we’re not a happy bunch behind the wheel anymore, according to a survey by windscreen repair firm Autoglass. It’s commissioned some research on driver behaviour to mark its 40th anniversary and found – shock, horror – that driving in these days of economic gloom is a bit of a bind compared to the good old days.

Rocketing fuel prices, speed cameras, poor quality roads – they’re all to blame for making modern day motoring more pain than pleasure, according to the new research.

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Apparently over a third of drivers surveyed are pottering along like Miss Daisy in order to conserve fuel – with 56% longing for a more fuel-efficient car to ease their financial burden, says the firm. And it seems inflated pump prices are also forcing almost half of the men surveyed to abandon the Mr Toad attitude and accelerate less aggressively than they used to.

Autoglass also revealed that around a third of drivers preferred driving when they passed their test to today’s reality of potholes, silly fuel prices and speed cameras. But despite the financial pressures of running a car in the midst of a recession, we still value our own space – 73% would rather not car share with family or friends.

Autoglass MD, Matthew Mycock: “Every day we hear from our customers that travelling around parts of Britain is becoming a nightmare because of the state of the roads.

“Nevertheless, by making small changes to the ways we drive, whether it be using gears correctly to reduce fuel usage, or carpooling to split overall costs, motorists can work together to reduce the overall stress that unfortunately often comes with driving in today’s economic climate.”

The number one gripe for motorists continues to be fuel costs, with 76% citing it as the most irritating thing about driving in Britain, whilst 31% revealed the lack of maintenance on the nation’s crumbling road network to be their main bugbear.

So what most riles you about driving? Have your say below.

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