Sunday 13th March 2016

Are Brits the worst drivers in Europe? PH Blog

Dan's driven across Europe and isn't happy to be back on British roads

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There's probably a witty, topical point to be made about those clamouring to leave Europe and the driving standards of the country that, to many, represents the heart of the problem. I'll work on that. And return to Belgian road manners in a bit.

How would an Autobahn work in the UK?

Anyway, over coming months there will, no doubt, be a great deal of tub-thumping about why it's great to be British and reasons to be proud of our little island. There are. But driving standards ain't one of them.

Accepting most of my international driving is in countries with reasonable common sense my heart always sinks a little upon returning home. We're a deservedly proud nation but I don't think there's anywhere you'll encounter such a concentration of short-fused, self-righteous road hogs. Everyone will have a story but just yesterday a colleague witnessed a man get out of his car and attempt to pull a woman from hers for driving too close to him. From the evidence presented neither party came across particularly well. But how on earth is that acceptable behaviour?

I hate it in myself too. The battle between self-righteous cyclists and short-fused motorists is one guaranteed to ignite the forums. I'm ashamed to say I've found myself playing both roles on occasion and hate myself for it. But it's never less than shocking when you're the passive observer to one of these encounters and witness the sheer violence - usually 'just' verbal - otherwise reasonable people seem happy to unleash on a whim.

Awaiting the carnage...

On my dash back from Geneva last week, I enjoyed driving across France, the stress of battling for every last inch of road significantly reduced by folk able to grasp the concept of lane discipline. The Germans can get a little bolshy about sticking rigidly to the rules but there is an inherent respect for those seeking to press on and a base level of politeness. Belgium is another matter but, generally speaking, you get the impression they're just a bit inept and cursed with some awful road design rather than inherently psychotic. Even the Americans are less territorial than Brits, those out in the sticks often content to pull over if you're making progress while in New York gridlock a toot of the horn at the lights is simply accepted as an expression of general exasperation. Rather than a specific rebuke or provocation to get out and square up.

Back home I'm just continually staggered at the sheer belligerence, selfishness and naked aggression you see day in, day out. It's deeply depressing and displayed in many and varied forms across all types of drivers. Lazy stereotypes include the sanctimonious lane hoggers, the hyper aggressive tail gaters or those who consider straddling dividing lines on parking bays entirely acceptable behaviour.

Maybe all this looming Big Brother control of 'smart' motorways and CCTV-driven enforcement is as much as we deserve.

Leave Europe? I can't wait to get back!

[Highways England, via Flickr]

[PTF]

I drove through france when i was younger and was impressed by the lane discipline, and how renault clio diesels (which everyone seemed to be driving) were happy sitting at 90+ all day long.

In my experience the title should be "Are Brits that live further south than the midlands the worst drivers in Europe".

I hate driving south. The aggression and competitiveness of drivers is appalling. Not just men too. Women also drive with their eyes on stalks.

My biggest issue living round here (lincolnshire) is people sticking at 40 behind a lorry and not overtaking when there is a clear opportunity.