Driving in a foreign country can be both fun and exhausting, from leisurely idyllic roads through the countryside to heart-pounding speeds through maze-like streets.
However, some countries can make drivers more nervous than others.
A survey released in October found that drivers are most concerned about getting behind the wheel in India. With a score of 7.15 out of 10, India received the highest average score among the 49 countries surveyed.
The survey, which surveyed 2,000 drivers from 10 countries – the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – found that a score of 1 means not at all nervous, while a score of 10 means extremely nervous. It was shown that , South Africa, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
According to a study conducted by Prolific on behalf of UK-based car company Scrap Car Comparison, India is a country where “everything from cars and motorcycles to rickshaws and even livestock share the roads. It is known for its unpredictable traffic conditions.
Three metropolitan areas in India – Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune – rank in the top 10 in the 2023 edition of the TomTom Traffic Index, which analyzes congestion levels and rush hour speeds in cities around the world.
The survey is not based on statistics such as road safety or fatalities, but on non-local residents’ perceptions of the ease of driving.
The top 10 list includes countries from Asia, Africa, and South America. It is noteworthy that not a single respondent was from Asia or South America.
Mexico ranked 11th, the highest ranking North American country on the list. The United States was ranked 33rd, followed by Canada in 41st place.
Turkey ranks first among European countries at 12th place, followed by Hungary, tied with Chile at 14th place.
Vietnam ranked 13th. Like many countries in Asia, there are far more motorcycles than cars in Vietnam, which can make driving large vehicles difficult.
When the 10 countries in which respondents took part in the survey were separated, South Africa ranked highest at 21st place, followed by Italy at 24th place.
Motorists say they are most comfortable behind the wheel in the Netherlands, with a score of 4.41, followed by Switzerland, Austria and Australia.
What scares drivers
Motorists said their biggest fear when driving overseas is driving on the wrong side of the road.
Most of the world drives on the right, but left-hand traffic is the norm in the United Kingdom and many of the former colonies of the British Empire, including India, Australia, South Africa, and Singapore.
Reckless driving by others and unknowingly violating road traffic laws were also high on the list, cited by more than half of all respondents.
Nearly one in three drivers said they were worried about getting into an accident or not being able to communicate in the local language.
