LONDON, U.K. – 29 JUNE, 2009 – A new survey by TripAdvisor®, the world’s most popular and largest travel community, has identified the worst motorists in Europe, according to British
holiday-makers, with Italian drivers taking pole position in the top ten and British drivers also making the list.
The survey of 819 British travellers reveals that 46% plan to drive whilst abroad this summer, whilst almost three quarters (73%) have done so in the past. Despite this, over one third (35%) of these remain nervous at the prospect of hitting the roads outside of the U.K.
EUROPE’S WORST MOTORISTS: DRIVING TRAVELLERS UP THE WALL
Almost one third of travellers (31%) consider the biggest challenge of driving abroad to be contending with the locals’ driving style. According to British travellers, Italy boasts the worst drivers in Europe, with French motorists second across the line.
- Italy
- France
- Greece
- Turkey
- Spain
- Portugal
- U.K.
- Malta
- Belgium
- Russia
ROCKY ROAD: DRIVING ABROAD FRAYS TRAVELLERS’ NERVES
The survey also reveals that brushing up on the local driving laws, including speed limits and which side of the road to drive on, remains low on travellers’ priorities. Whilst 14% confess to never researching these before getting behind the wheel when they are abroad, a further 48% admit they do so infrequently.
As a result of the stress that unfamiliar roads and rules can present, 45% of travellers have misread their map and found themselves lost, and over one third (38%) of holiday-makers have argued with their partner. Meanwhile, anxiety at the wheel has led to 11% losing their tempers with other drivers, 4% vowing never to drive abroad again and 4% receiving a fine.
Luke Fredberg, TripAdvisor spokesman, said: “Hitting the open road can be one of the most rewarding and cost-effective ways of exploring a new destination, but some travellers find the notion of a relaxing road-trip vanishes as soon as they encounter unfamiliar driving laws and styles.”
-Ends-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Amelie Hurst
+44 (0) 20 3320 3244 / 07791 605 888 / ahurst@tripadvisor.com
Notes to editors
819 British travellers took part in the TripAdvisor survey (June 2009).
About TripAdvisor Media Network
TripAdvisor® Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts more than 33 million monthly visitors* across 14 popular travel brands: TripAdvisor®, www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.frequentflier.com, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com and www.virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 25 million monthly visitors*, 10 million registered members and 23 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travellers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover more than one million destinations, hotels, restaurants and attractions and operate in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com), the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk), Ireland (http://www.tripadvisor.ie), France (http://www.tripadvisor.fr), Germany (http://www.tripadvisor.de), Italy (http://www.tripadvisor.it), Spain (http://www.tripadvisor.es), India (http://www.tripadvisor.in), Japan (http://www.tripadvisor.jp), Portugal and Brazil (http://www.tripadvisor.com.br), Sweden (http://www.tripadvisor.se), and The Netherlands (http://nl.tripadvisor.com). TripAdvisor also operates in China under the brand daodao.com (http://www.daodao.com). TripAdvisor® Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).
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*Source: comScore Media Metrix, March 2009
