Survey reveals motorists’ biggest concerns
Motorists’ biggest concern is congestion and the vast majority claim it is a ‘bigger problem’ than 3 years ago in the United Kingdom, IAM RoadSmart’s Safety Culture Survey 2018 says. 76% of survey respondents say congestion is now worse whereas only 22% believe it is ‘about the same’. 2% argue it is a ‘smaller problem’.
Drivers that text and talk via a mobile are the second biggest worry on the road. 73% of survey respondents believe it is a ‘bigger problem’ than 3 years ago compared to 22% that say it is ‘about the same’. Only 5% suggest it is a ‘smaller problem’. UK drivers have concerns about other issues, too. See the table below.
| Bigger problem | About the same | Smaller problem | |
| Aggressive driving | 68% | 30% | 2% |
| Drug driving | 62% | 32% | 6% |
| Aggressive cycling | 57% | 36% | 7% |
| Speeding | 55% | 40% | 5% |
| Drink driving | 31% | 50% | 19% |
Gender variation
The survey also reveals that men and women perceive some such issues differently. Note drink driving, for instance. 37% of women say it is a ‘bigger problem’ in 2018 than 2015. Only 25% of men concur. In contrast, 60% of male respondents conclude that aggressive cycling is more of a problem compared to 54% of females.
The table immediately below reveals further, gender specific, variations plus the problems where there is a broader consensus.
| Bigger problem (men) | Bigger problem (women | |
| Traffic congestion | 75% | 76% |
| Phone distraction | 72% | 73% |
| Aggressive driving | 67% | 69% |
| Drug driving | 61% | 63% |
| Aggressive cycling | 60% | 54% |
| Speeding | 53% | 58% |
| Drink driving | 25% | 37% |
Age variation
How people perceive problems varies by age, too. For example, 69% of respondents aged 50 to 69 say drug driving is now a ‘bigger problem’. Only 54% of those aged 17 to 34 agree. In contrast, 46% of the younger group say drink driving is a ‘bigger problem’ compared to 25% of the older group. The table reveals more results.
Bigger problem (17-34) | Bigger problem (35-49) | Bigger problem (50-69) | |
| Traffic congestion | 73% | 72% | 79% |
| Phone distraction | 74% | 70% | 74% |
| Aggressive driving | 64% | 67% | 72% |
| Drug driving | 54% | 57% | 69% |
| Aggressive cycling | 51% | 53% | 63% |
| Speeding | 58% | 53% | 56% |
| Drink driving | 46% | 31% | 25% |
Regional variation
Perception also varies by geographical region. 61% of survey respondents in the north conclude that speeding is a ‘bigger problem’ in 2018 than 2015, for example. However, only 49% in Wales and the south west agree. Note drug driving, too. 68% of motorists in the north say it is now a ‘bigger problem’ compared to 56% in London and the south east. The table below reveals further results.
| north | London & south east | Wales & south west | Scotland & Northern Ireland | |
| Traffic congestion | 80% | 72% | 79% | 69% |
| Phone distraction | 74% | 70% | 73% | 73% |
| Aggressive driving | 73% | 67% | 61% | 61% |
| Drug driving | 68% | 56% | 61% | 56% |
| Aggressive cycling | 58% | 61% | 53% | 53% |
| Speeding | 61% | 52% | 49% | 51% |
| Drink driving | 35% | 29% | 27% | 27% |