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Greece has come first place – even if it isn’t to be celebrated.
Excessively confident about themselves, incapable of accepting criticism, aggressive … the famous phrase “Hell is the other” from Jean-Paul Sartres’ “Cloaked Doors” accurately describes the state of European roads, where excessive self-confidence and self-esteem are the dominant characteristics of European drivers, according to a research published.
The drivers of eleven European countries (France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Britain, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, Slovakia) answered questions about their driving behaviour in the context of the 6th European barometer for responsible driving conducted by Ipsos and Vinci Autoroutes Foundation.
For the first time, the carelessness behind the wheel is recognized by European drivers as the number one cause of mortality on the roads (54%), before driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and speed.
Smartphone, GPS, hands free, Bluetooth: In recent years, all these gadgets have altered driving behaviour.
Although risk awareness has progressed, bad behaviour persists. Thus, 97% agree, with one voice, that it is dangerous to write SMS behind the wheel. But one in four, 24% do. When asked about this paradox, drivers say they control their driving and they know their limits or have not thought of the danger. 11% of those questioned admit that they have almost had an accident using their mobile whilst at the wheel.
“The ‘super-wiring’ has been in cars for many years, but the worrying thing is that it continues despite awareness campaigns. Drivers have difficulty admitting that in the inside of the car priority should be given to driving”, said Bernadette Moreau of the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation.
Greeks, Italians (60%), and the Poles are Bluetooth fans, half of who are stuck to their GPS at the wheel (57%), are the most unruly, while Britons and Spaniards are the most conscientious.
Horn and swearing
The barometer recalls ‘universal evidence’: ‘others drive badly, while we are good drivers’. So, judging the way they drive, Europeans consider themselves cautious (74%), calm (57%) and courteous (28%).
Few people admit that they are ‘stressed’ (10%), ‘aggressive’ (3%), ‘irresponsible’ (1%). But they are ready to accuse these behaviours to other drivers: 46% of those questioned found that the other drivers are ‘irresponsible’, ‘stressed’ (36%), ‘aggressive’ (30%) and ‘dangerous’ (28%).
This smugness contradicts the recognition level of dangerous behaviour. But when the questions go into details, drivers become more honest.
So, 92% of Swedes who love speed, admit that exceed the limits, the French are the champions in the failure to use indicators (61%) and one in two Greeks (45%) do not ‘belt-up’.
This chronic indiscipline caters for rudeness among drivers, which is growing at all levels, according to the barometer.
Thus, 53% of Europeans use their horn against drivers who irritate them, an increase of 7 points compared to 2017, a habit two times more popular amongst Spanish (66%) than the Germans (33%).
Drivers who curse / swear at other drivers have also increased (56%+2 points). And here the prize is taken by the Greeks (71%), followed by the French (69%)while Swedes are the most indifferent (32%).
Europeans are increasingly reluctant to get out of their car to explain with other drivers (19%, +4 points), an attitude adopted by one in three Poles (36%), who are champions in the field.
The poll was conducted by Ipsos between 25th February and 13th March, 2019 through the internet with a sample of 12,418 individuals aged 15 and over.
msn.com.
