Growing number of drivers feel anxious behind the wheel
Thu, 15 Jun 2023
Over a third of motorists experience anxiety while driving, with nearly half saying that nerves affect their ability to drive. That's according to new research by Aviva.
The study, which surveyed 1441 UK motorists, found that individuals residing in London (44%), the east of England (44%), and Yorkshire and the Humber (38%) were most likely to identify as anxious drivers.
In contrast, those in the North East were the least likely to experience driving-related anxiety, with only 23% reporting such feelings.
The research also highlighted that individuals who primarily drive on minor connecting roads (32%) or in urban areas (31%) were more prone to experiencing driving nerves. Interestingly, only 7% of individuals who predominantly drive on motorways reported feeling anxious while driving.
Among those who reported feeling uneasy about driving, more than three-quarters stated that they experience physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat (23%), sweating (22%) and nausea (15%).
In addition, 9% of individuals in this group reported chest pains and difficulty breathing as a result of their driving-related anxiety.
It was revealed that 39% of individuals who acknowledged anxiety affecting their driving had reported this issue to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). However, 16% of people in this position admitted that they were unaware of the requirement to report it.
Aviva also submitted a freedom of information (FOI) request to the DVLA, which revealed that a total of 534,692 individuals had reported a medical condition between January 1 and December 31, 2022. Out of those reports, 5614 were related to anxiety.
According to the study, driving anxiety is more prevalent among younger drivers, with 62% of those under 25 years old expressing worries behind the wheel. However, these feelings tend to diminish with age, as only 22% of drivers aged 65 and above reported experiencing such nerves.
Interestingly, despite the prevalence of driving-related anxiety, three-quarters of drivers admitted to occasionally exhibiting bad behavior on the road. The most common confessions included speeding (34%), swearing at other motorists (31%), making rude gestures (21%) and fiddling with in-car technology (18%).
"Feeling anxious when driving can be very distressing for motorists and can even prevent them getting behind the wheel. However, there are ways that people can aim to get on top of their nerves, from learning calming techniques, to using technology to identify areas for improvement," says Lorna Whalley, Head of Propositions at Aviva.
"This can help people to become more confident drivers, which can mean safer roads for both motorists and pedestrians."
Can I plan a route without smart motorways?
