Bah! Humbug! 45% of Brits admit to swearing at other road users.

(Approx: 8min read)

Right, here’s something that might not surprise you this Christmas season.   

According to Warrantywise’s exclusive recent poll, as many as 45% of UK drivers have admitted to openly swearing about other road users whilst driving. That’s nearly half of us, admitting to ranting at our fellow drivers.  

This isn’t about bad manners, though. It tells us something bigger about what’s happening on Britain’s roads – the stress we’re under, the state of our infrastructure and how we’re all getting on – or not getting on – with each other out there.  

Let’s dig into what our poll revealed and what it says about driving culture in the UK.  

Key facts at a glance:

• Our poll found that 45% of UK drivers admit to ‘venting/swearing about other drivers’ whilst behind the wheel. So basically, one in two of us have directed some choice words at another road user at some point in our lives.  

• We’re not alone in finding this. A separate report by Hyundai discovered that British drivers swear 41 times for every 100 miles travelled. [1] That’s a lot of effing and blinding.  

• The result? 79% of drivers say they’ve felt intimidated by other drivers, and for younger drivers (17-24), that jumps to 89%. [2]  

• An AA survey found that only 49% of UK drivers think other road users have good manners whilst driving. [3] So, half of us think the other half are rude. Brilliant.  

• What’s winding us up? Things like not using indicators, inappropriate full-beam use and terrible parking. [3]  

• Here’s something you might not know: under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, verbal abuse of other road users can land you with a fine of up to £1,000. [4]  

• Our exclusive poll also found we talk to our cars about other things: giving them encouraging words (54%), saying thanks (54%), worrying about where we’re going (33%), fretting about strange noises (27%), and chatting about the weather (25%).  

Poll results: What’s really going on here?

Let’s be honest – this statistic is quite revealing. Nearly half of us are openly swearing at other drivers. What does that tell us? 

First off, driving is clearly an emotional experience. We’re not just getting from A to B – we’re getting stressed, frustrated and occasionally furious. We’re quick to blame other drivers. We’re not just muttering about traffic or our commute – we’re specifically having a go at other people on the road. 

According to the statistic, this is normal behaviour now. When nearly half of us are doing it, it’s not exactly unusual anymore, is it? Something about our roads, our driving culture and the way we all behave is consistently winding people up enough to swear about it. 

It’s not just you – everyone’s at it:

Our findings match what others have discovered. A Hyundai study reported that Brits swear 41 times per 100 miles travelled. [1] Zuto found over 1 in 4 British drivers openly admit they swear at others while driving. [5] 

It’s starting to look like swearing at other drivers is just part of British driving culture. Maybe we’re all doing it more than we’d like to admit. 

And it’s not just about dishing it out – people are feeling intimidated too. That 79% who feel threatened by other road users? [2] That’s a lot of us feeling genuinely uncomfortable out there. 

The worst culprits for making people feel intimidated? Tailgating, being overtaken at stupid speeds, rude gestures and aggressive horn use. All the stuff that makes you want to swear right back at them. 

What’s actually annoying us?

The AA asked over 13,000 UK drivers what behaviour on the road winds them up most. Generally speaking, only 49% thought most drivers showed good manners. [3]  

Here’s what’s specifically getting on our nerves: 

• Using full-beam headlights at passing cars (87%)  

• Not using indicators (86%) 

• Not pulling over for an emergency vehicle (86%) 

• Not stopping at pedestrian crossings (85%) 

• Not giving way properly (83%) 

• Taking up more than one parking space (82%) 

• Disregarding road/traffic signs (82%) 

• Not respecting other road users (pedestrians/cyclists) (79%) 

• Not allowing merging* (75%) 

• Not merging* until the last second (74%) 

Looking at that list, you can see why we’re all swearing at each other.

*merging is the process of two or more traffic lanes combining into a single lane, or a lane ending and requiring a vehicle to enter the main flow of traffic. 

Is it illegal to swear at other drivers?

Yes, it is. Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, swearing or making rude gestures at other road users can get you fined up to £1,000. [4] 

But here’s the thing – over 60% of UK drivers don’t know this, according to The AA. Most of us probably think it’s just letting off steam, not something we could be fined for. 

This lack of knowledge can make the behaviour more common as it is not always thought of as punishable by law. This is perhaps also why it is not always treated seriously by drivers. 

It’s not just other drivers winding us up:

A 2023 RAC survey found 49% of UK drivers are fed up with the state of our roads. [6] Potholes, terrible surfaces, confusing signage – it all adds up. 

When you’re already bouncing through potholes and trying to work out which lane you need, it doesn’t take much for another driver to tip you over the edge. 

Our cars are part of the problem (and solution):

Here’s something interesting – we really do treat our cars like they’re our mates. Our poll found people also admitted to speaking to their cars in the following ways:

Who’s most likely to lose it?

Some patterns from our research:

• Younger drivers (17-24) feel more frequently intimidated by other drivers (89% in one survey). 

• 1 in 4 drivers admit to swearing at others, but it’s probably higher for regular commuters. [5] 

• If you’re driving in heavy traffic, on terrible roads or doing long commutes, you’re more likely to snap.

• Learner/new drivers get more abuse from other motorists. [7] 

So that 45% of Brits admitting to swearing is probably hiding the fact that some groups – commuters, city drivers for example – are way above that. 

What can we actually do about it?

• If you’re one of the 45%: Join the club. We’ve all had that moment where someone cuts us up and we’ve called them something creative. Obviously, it doesn’t make them a better driver, but it does make us feel better for about three seconds.  

• Some people swear they’re calmer with podcasts on. Others reckon leaving ten minutes earlier helps (but does it?). And yeah, when your own car’s making weird noises, everyone else’s bad driving feels ten times worse. But honestly? Sometimes you just need to have a good rant. That’s what windows-up time is for.  

• For car manufacturers: Stop making cars that beep at us constantly. We’re stressed enough without unnecessary warnings and overly complicated infotainment systems that don’t work properly. Focus on making the driving experience calmer not just ‘more connected’. 

• For the people in charge of our roads: Fix the potholes. Sort out the confusing signage. Make traffic flow better. And maybe remind people that swearing at others can actually get them fined – most of us don’t know that. Also, younger drivers are getting the worst of it, so maybe more support for them wouldn’t go amiss. 

• For the younger/less experienced drivers getting grief from everyone else: You’re not imagining it – other drivers really are less patient with you. That P plate or nervous hesitation at roundabouts seems to trigger something in other road users.  

• The bad news? It doesn’t completely stop when you’re more experienced. The good news? You’ll develop a thicker skin and stop taking it personally. Most of the people swearing at you are probably having a rubbish day that’s got nothing to do with your driving.  
• Get a dashcam if you can – amazing how much better people behave when they spot one. And remember, the person getting sweary about your careful driving probably learned to drive when there were about six cars on the road. 

Wrapping up:

So, there we have it – 45% of us swear at other drivers. Nearly half of British motorists regularly losing it behind the wheel. 

We all know how it goes. Someone cuts you up without indicating. You’re stuck behind someone doing 30 in a 50 zone. The person behind is so close they are practically in your boot. Before you know it, you’re part of that 45%. 

It’s not really about being a bad person. It’s about terrible roads, stressful commutes, cars that irritate us, and yes, other people’s awful driving. We’re all wound up before we even encounter that person who thinks indicators are optional. 

As we head into the chaos of Christmas traffic, maybe knowing that half of us are quietly (or not so quietly) swearing at each other might make us all feel a bit less alone in our frustration. 

Just remember – if you’re going to swear at other drivers this festive season, at least do it with the windows up. It’s the season of goodwill, after all. 

External sources of information in this article:

[1] British drivers swear 41 times for every 100 miles travelled 

[2] 79% of drivers feel intimidated on the roads 

[3] Only 49% of drivers believe others display good manners on the road 

[4] Verbal abuse can incur fines 

[5] 1 in 4 admit to swearing at other drivers 

[6] UK drivers dissatisfied with road conditions. 

[7] Learner & new drivers more likely to receive abuse