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It’s human nature to make a few faux pas when driving – but how often is driving etiquette ignored as a nation? A study by tyre specialists ATS Euromaster put the UK’s driving knowledge to the test, to find out how much we really know about the rules of the road.

The study looks at whether age plays a part in our driving habits, if location affects our behaviour on the road and if one gender is superior in the driving etiquette stakes.

The age-old question: does age affect our driving?

‘Another year older, another year wiser’ as the saying goes. But is it true? The study put this to the test and asked 18 to 65-year-olds a series of questions to quiz their road knowledge. These were the results:

• Most drivers between 45-65+ were aware that splashing pedestrians is punishable by law. Almost half of younger drivers between 18-44 didn’t.
• The younger drivers redeemed themselves though, saying that it’s not acceptable to sound your horn between 11.30pm and 7am. Older drivers were mostly unaware that it’s frowned upon to do so in built up areas with streetlights.
• The reason for flashing your headlights is to alert another driver of your presence, which most 45-65+ drivers answered correctly.

The age group with the most correct answers was 55-64s, with 18-34s lacking the most in their road knowledge.

Location, location, location

Does location really make a difference when it comes to driving etiquette? Drivers across the country were tested on their behaviour on the roads:

• Northern Ireland racked up the most miles, driving 161 miles per person per week. On the flip side, the South West only totalled a mere 62 miles.
• It makes sense that drivers from bigger cities are the most stressed on the roads, including those from Birmingham, Leeds, London and Edinburgh. The most chilled out drivers are from Liverpool, Aberdeen, Belfast and Cardiff.
• We all know to stop at zebra crossings – but 31% drivers from London, as well as motorists from West Midlands and Yorkshire, seem to be in a hurry and drive over them without stopping first. The more courteous drivers who always stop are from East Anglia, Scotland and Wales.
• When it’s snowing outside, it’s the law to clear car windows and roofs from snow. Did you know that? Because those from the South West didn’t – with 66% answering incorrectly. 94% of people from Northern Ireland know to do this.

It’s clear that stressed drivers from bigger cities are worse on the roads. London seemed to perform the worst, as Londoners are not as likely to stop at zebra crossings, so pay extra attention when stepping off the pavement in the capital city. Those from Belfast on the other hand are the most relaxed and are more clued up.

The battle of the sexes

There’s an ongoing debate as to whether men or women are better drivers – so the study by ATS Euromaster puts this to the test.

• Overall, 10% more females knew to clear their car windows from snow after a snow dump. A total of 69% women answered this correctly.
• Men take the lead when it comes to not splashing pedestrians on the pavement whilst driving. 53% of males know this is an offence – however 5% said splashing pedestrians is in fact allowed!

Overall, women fared slightly better than men, getting 4 out of 6 questions right. Sorry fellas.