From backseat bickers to real life dramas: Brits find more challenges in everyday drives than road rage

The most challenging drives Brits will face behind the wheel in their lifetimes have been revealed, as nearly half (42 per cent) admit they get more annoyed by day-to-day driving situations in the car, in comparison to experiencing road rage (30 per cent), according to research by car brand Dacia.

The top ten most testing real-life driving situations are revealed to include taking a partner, friend or family member to the hospital during labour and being the designated driver on the way back from a night out.

Full list of ten most challenging everyday drives below:

1. Driving in the hard rain or snow
2. Driving with a back seat driver who thinks they know better than you on how to drive
3. Driving with someone who gets badly car sick
4. Driving with a child who is desperate for the toilet on the motorway
5. Driving with children bickering in the back seats
6. Taking a friend, partner or family member to the hospital during labour
7. Driving with friends who are arguing 
8. Solo drives with a crying baby in the backseat
9. Being a designated driver and having ‘excitable’ friends in the car on the way back from a night out
10. Going on a holiday road trip with passengers and the car being packed to the brim with luggage 

With British drivers now spending an average of 350 hours in their car each year, over 1 in 10 (12 per cent) admit they feel unprepared for these challenging scenarios, feeling like they have to “learn on the job” (57 per cent) and would like to test a car in a real-life situation before purchasing (60 per cent).

Ahead of the “new car season”, Dacia has launched a brand-new service where drivers can put their most challenging driving experiences to the test while taking a new car for a spin to help them navigate the reality of everyday drives – before they’ve even purchased their car.

The ‘Real Life Test Drives’ will take place on Thursday 5 September 2024 at Dacia’s new London West retailer, where drivers will be given the opportunity to test drive real life scenarios, including driving with a passenger who gets badly car sick, putting up with a back seat driver and navigating the challenges of friends who are arguing.  

Meanwhile, the top ten cities which have the most stressed drivers include:

1. Birmingham (51 per cent)
2. London (48 per cent)
3. Glasgow (47 per cent)
4. Manchester (45 per cent)
5. Nottingham (45 per cent)
6. Liverpool (45 per cent)
7. Southampton (41 per cent)
8. Leeds (41 per cent)
9. Norwich (40 per cent)
10. Plymouth (39 per cent)

Luke Broad, Dacia Brand Director for the UK said: “We know that driving isn’t always polished, and we can all relate to experiencing these difficult, stressful everyday drives on the road. At Dacia, we focus on the essentials and strive to offer a solution for everyone.  That’s why we’ve launched ‘Real Life Test Drives’ to give drivers an opportunity to test out a car while experiencing real-life scenarios.

This helps Brits make sure they’re ready for everyday situations and whatever life throws at them! We believe that giving people the chance to experience their most challenging driving situations helps them make the most informed decisions for their future purchase – particularly ahead of new car season.”

The ‘Real Life Test Drives’ will take place on Thursday 5 September 2024. Head to Dacia’s website to book your slot now. Full terms and conditions apply*

By offering affordable vehicles perfectly suited for both short getaways and grand expeditions, Dacia, the brand for real people, is there to ensure every journey is filled with excitement and possibility.