M1 is UK's favourite motorway

Survey also puts it third worst. Go figure...

By PH Staff / Wednesday, 3 August 2005 / Loading comments

M25: least-loved motorway

Did you know about National Motorway Month? No, neither did we. However, it appears there is one, and that a survey finds that 60 per cent of motorists have a favourite motorway.

The M1 comes out tops according to an NOP Automotive Survey for the RAC Foundation to start National Motorway Month.

One third of drivers said the M25 is their least favourite motorway to drive on, followed by 15 per cent who cited the M6 as the road they love to hate. These motorways are also the nation’s busiest, suggesting that congestion and volume of traffic on motorways are key to deciding the least favoured. However a love-hate relationship exists as some motorways polled in the favourite top ten as well as in the least favourite top ten motorways.

When asked which of the following factors were most important in deciding which was their favourite motorway, respondents replied:

23 per cent - lack of traffic/congestion
14 per cent - route to visit family/friends
7 per cent - route to holiday destination
5 per cent - nice scenery
5 per cent - best work commute route
4 per cent - quiet road surface
1 per cent - plenty of service areas

The survey also asked what motorists think is the worst driving habit on the motorway:

29 per cent said motorists who drive too close to the car in front
20 per cent motorists who drive while talking on their mobile phone
15 per cent motorists who suddenly cut across all three lanes to exit the motorway
13 per cent said motorists who hog the middle lane

National Motorway Month is a joint initiative by RAC Foundation, Auto Express Magazine, IAM and BSM to encourage safer driving on our motorways. The campaign will run through the busy holiday month of August.

The most important thing? At least it leaves the twisties for the likes of us...