With 250 Google searches every month for ‘how to overcome the fear of driving’ a recent study from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has revealed that Liverpool is officially home to the most nervous drivers in the UK.
Nationwide Vehicle Contracts analysed various data points including traffic, Google search data, weather and casualties, to reveal the UK cities with the most nervous drivers and Liverpool ranked highest with an overall score of 83.60%.
Why is Liverpool home to the most nervous drivers in the UK?
In the last 29 years, there has been a 17% increase in traffic in Liverpool (1993 – 2022).
Parking is a huge concern within the city, with Google searches for ‘where to park?’ skyrocketing by 124% in the last 12 months, garnering 1,730 searches every month.
Liverpool experiences an average of 97.8mm of precipitation and 11.7 rainy days per month, meaning driving conditions are not always beneficial to the driver.
The city boasts 137 petrol stations within a 10 mile radius, but ‘where is the nearest petrol station’ still receives 1,280 Google searches every month. While Leeds has 199, Glasgow has 178 and Manchester is home to more than 250 petrol stations, Liverpool does fall behind in this area.
Roundabouts are proving to be unpopular in Liverpool, with 250 Google searches for ‘how to avoid roundabouts’ every month when looking for driving routes.
The most nervous drivers of the UK
With 250 monthly searches for ‘how to overcome the fear of driving’, compared to Oldham with 200 and Plymouth with 150, Liverpool has the highest volume of Google searches for nerve-related driving questions.
Expert reveals key tips for nervous drivers navigating Liverpool
Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has revealed five simple steps you can take to ease nerves whilst driving in Liverpool.
Share the journey
If you are an anxious driver, having a confident driver in the passenger seat can help ease your discomfort whilst driving. They may help calmly direct you to your destination, or simply offer encouragement whilst navigating traffic, roundabouts or parking.
Take advanced lessons
Even if you have passed your driving test, taking advanced lessons with an instructor can help you overcome your fear of driving. Advanced lessons can vary from Motorway lessons to simply navigating roads easily. Talking to an instructor about some of your worries will make you feel better and they can offer ways to ease fear.
Avoid driving in rush hour
If you do have a fear of driving, you may find that driving during rush hour or even in difficult weather conditions can induce worry, so it’s best to avoid driving during these times if you work a 9-5. According to Inrix, 4-5 pm on a Wednesday is the worst time to drive in Liverpool. With busy roads such as The Strand Road which runs parallel to the River Mersey and the M62, navigating Liverpool at any time can be a struggle for nervous drivers.
Prepare yourself
For anyone with driving anxiety, you should avoid driving on an empty stomach or relying on caffeine. Small things like this can increase your driving fear massively, so before driving ensure you’ve eaten and avoided caffeine to avoid your body feeling anxious before you’ve driven.
Talk to a professional
Not all driving fears can be fixed simply, so seeking therapy or help from a professional can help you identify the cause of your driving anxiety and provide you with techniques to help you become a confident driver.
