The French Vinci Motorways Foundation for responsible driving ("Fondation VINCI Autoroutes pour une conduite responsable") published its annual study (for the 12th year) on the most and least stressed drivers in Europe (based on of survey of 11 countries).
Belgians came on top as the most stressed drivers, with only 47% viewing themselves as calm behind the wheel. Several factors explain this. Brussels and Antwerp rank as some of the most congested cities in Europe, while Belgian motorways have the highest number of trucks anywhere in Europe. Belgium also has the most speeding radars per km in Europe.
The Spanish and the Dutch ranked as the least stressed drivers, with 69% and 66% of respondents respectively describing themselves as relaxed while driving.
The study also scrutinises drivers' incivilities. The Spaniards and the Greeks were the most susceptible to aggressive honking, followed by the Belgians and Italians. While Belgians typically honked when stressed, it does not appear to be the case for Spaniards and other southern Europeans, for which it is more of a habit than a reaction to stress.
Greeks are the champions of insulting other drivers, followed by the French and Germans. Poles admit they most frequently get out of their vehicles to argue other drivers, followed by Italians and Greeks. (source)
20% of Belgians openly admitted parking occasionally on bicycle lanes (despite a 116€ fine). Only the Dutch did worse, but then the country is filled with bicycle lanes. (source)
In another study of the world’s most and least stressful countries to drive in, 49 countries were ranked based on the frequency of speeding cameras, the quality of road infrastructure, the number of cars per km of road, and fatal accidents per 100,000 population. The United Emirates was rated as the most stressful country to drive based on these criteria. Here is the ranking for Europe:
Belgians came on top as the most stressed drivers, with only 47% viewing themselves as calm behind the wheel. Several factors explain this. Brussels and Antwerp rank as some of the most congested cities in Europe, while Belgian motorways have the highest number of trucks anywhere in Europe. Belgium also has the most speeding radars per km in Europe.
The Spanish and the Dutch ranked as the least stressed drivers, with 69% and 66% of respondents respectively describing themselves as relaxed while driving.
The study also scrutinises drivers' incivilities. The Spaniards and the Greeks were the most susceptible to aggressive honking, followed by the Belgians and Italians. While Belgians typically honked when stressed, it does not appear to be the case for Spaniards and other southern Europeans, for which it is more of a habit than a reaction to stress.
Greeks are the champions of insulting other drivers, followed by the French and Germans. Poles admit they most frequently get out of their vehicles to argue other drivers, followed by Italians and Greeks. (source)
20% of Belgians openly admitted parking occasionally on bicycle lanes (despite a 116€ fine). Only the Dutch did worse, but then the country is filled with bicycle lanes. (source)
In another study of the world’s most and least stressful countries to drive in, 49 countries were ranked based on the frequency of speeding cameras, the quality of road infrastructure, the number of cars per km of road, and fatal accidents per 100,000 population. The United Emirates was rated as the most stressful country to drive based on these criteria. Here is the ranking for Europe:
| Rank | Country | Stressful driving score |
| 1 | Bulgaria | 80 |
| 2 | Italy | 76 |
| 3 | Czechia | 74 |
| 4 | Belgium | 72 |
| 5 | Poland | 67 |
| 6 | Romania | 65 |
| 7= | United Kingdom | 61 |
| 7= | Netherlands | 61 |
| 9 | Germany | 57 |
| 10 | Greece | 54 |
| 11 | Switzerland | 52 |
| 12 | Austria | 46 |
| 13= | Portugal | 43 |
| 13= | France | 43 |
| 15 | Slovenia | 40 |
| 16= | Norway | 39 |
| 16= | Ireland | 39 |
| 18 | Slovakia | 36 |
| 19 | Hungary | 35 |
| 20 | Sweden | 33 |
| 21 | Spain | 28 |
| 22= | Finland | 27 |
| 22= | Denmark | 27 |
