Brace yourselves, folks. If you ever thought UK drivers were all law-abiding citizens behind the wheel, think again. A nationwide survey has revealed that Cardiff is officially home to the worst UK city drivers.
According to the study, commissioned by Isuzu UK, the Welsh capital has taken pole position when it comes to bad driving, with 35 per cent of its drivers admitting to crashes, speeding fines, or near-miss accidents. That’s a solid one in three people careening around the city like they’re in a Fast & Furious sequel, except with more roundabouts and less nitrous.
Next up, the second-place crown goes to London. It seems the capital’s congested streets are not only home to double-decker buses and black cabs, but also some seriously reckless drivers, with 33 per cent admitting to questionable driving behaviour.
Hot on their heels are the good people of Liverpool, where 31 per cent of drivers have fessed up to being less than stellar behind the wheel.
All of this comes in stark contrast to the national average of just 15 per cent, making these cities’ drivers the standout stars of a bad road show.
But if you’re after a smooth ride, head up to Nottingham. Only two per cent of drivers there admit to any road mishaps—so if you’re into safe driving, Nottingham might just be your driving nirvana.
Excuses, Excuses…
| City | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cardiff | 35 |
| London | 33 |
| Liverpool | 31 |
| Plymouth | 15 |
| Leeds | 12 |
| Birmingham | 9 |
| Leicester | 9 |
| Oxford | 9 |
| Sheffield | 8 |
| Brighton | 7 |
Of course, the nation’s worst drivers aren’t without their excuses. The top ones being too many cars on the road (36 per cent), a chronic lack of parking spaces (24 per cent), and roads that are “too small” (17 per cent).
You have to wonder, though, how small a road can really be when there’s enough room for you to crash on it.
Then there’s the vehicle itself. One in ten drivers (12 per cent) actually blame their cars for their poor driving—because why take personal responsibility when you can throw your car under the bus, right?
Some drivers go so far as to blame the absence of forward collision warning systems for their woeful skills, while six per cent just outright hate their vehicle. In fact, three per cent say their reversing cameras aren’t up to scratch. Because, clearly, bad parking must be the camera’s fault, not theirs.
Dreams of a Better Ride
It turns out a third of drivers (32 per cent) are dreaming of a car decked out with all the latest mod-cons to make driving easier.
Meanwhile, 36 per cent believe that a larger car would make them feel safer. Bigger might be better, but perhaps they just want something more substantial to cushion their next inevitable bump.
According to George Wallis, Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK, “With over 50 million drivers in Great Britain, it is worrying to think that as many as 7.5 million consider themselves bad drivers.”
He adds that “UK motorists face many challenges on all journeys, from smaller roads, tight parking bays, and even their own vehicle.”
Luckily for drivers, Isuzu’s D-Max range offers a suite of advanced safety systems like rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure prevention, and autonomous emergency braking, so you don’t have to worry about being that driver ever again.
Gen Z and Millennial Rage Magnets
The study also found that over half of the drivers (59 per cent) have been on the receiving end of shouts or rude gestures from fellow motorists or pedestrians.
The younger generations—Gen Z and Millennials—lead the pack here, with 67 per cent reporting they’ve been the target of someone else’s road rage.
Maybe it’s their speed, or maybe it’s their Spotify playlists blaring at full volume. Either way, these generations seem to have a knack for winding up other drivers.
And in a shocking twist, 11 per cent of drivers say they wouldn’t know what to do with a manual car.
That’s right, the art of stick-shift driving may soon be relegated to the history books, alongside dial-up internet and Blockbuster video stores.
But it gets worse: one in ten drivers confess they forget to look out for cyclists and motorcyclists, and seven per cent—yes, seven per cent—admit to forgetting pedestrians even exist.
If that stat doesn’t make you want to double-check your surroundings next time you’re crossing the street, I don’t know what will.
Would You Pass Again?
Perhaps the most telling statistic of all: 61 per cent of drivers don’t believe they’d pass their driving test if they had to retake it today.
Older drivers, especially those over 60, seem particularly pessimistic, with 63 per cent doubting they’d make the grade.
The irony, of course, is that they’re still out there on the roads every day, just hoping no one will notice.
So, if you’re planning a road trip any time soon, you might want to steer clear of Cardiff, London, and Liverpool—or at the very least, buckle up and stay sharp.
And if you’re in the market for a new car, Isuzu’s D-Max with its five-star Euro NCAP rating could be just the ticket to safer, stress-free driving.
After all, in a world full of the worst UK city drivers, you’ll want all the help you can get.