Foul-mouthed UK motorists swear every 2.4 miles
Research by Hyundai has found that the UK driver typically lets loose with bad language 41 times in every 100 miles
The nation’s favourite car paint colour may be black but the interiors of UK motorists’ cars are decidedly blue.
That’s according to research by Hyundai, which found that motorists swear on average once every 2.43 miles.
That works out at 41 swear words during a 100-mile journey. Over the average month’s commuting (373 miles), 152 expletives will be uttered.
The manufacturer’s poll of 2,000 drivers revealed that other motorists cutting them up was the most likely catalyst for a barrage of bad language, followed by poor lane discipline, witnessing others texting and driving, and not using indicators correctly.
The vast majority – 84 per cent – of the motorists were unaware, too, that cursing, shouting or making rude gestures at another driver could be construed as ‘disorderly behaviour’ and result in a fine.
Forty per cent of those polled admitted that driving was when they swore the most often, but 46 per cent believed that their cursing was justified and said they didn’t swear too often. Some drivers are more controlled than others, though – 61 per cent of parents said they controlled their fruitier language when their children were in the car.
In fact, 45 per cent admitted to substituting cleaner words – such as ‘fudging hell’ or ‘what a plonker’.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the M25 was pinpointed as the most rage-inducing major road in the country, followed closely by the M6 and M1.
Hyundai commissioned the research as part of its Clean Driving Month – a push for all motorists to ‘drive a little bit cleaner’, whether that’s by improving their driving style, keeping their minds open to alternative fuels or yes, even curbing their potty mouths.
Patrick Fagan, who is a consumer psychologist at Goldsmiths, University of London and is working with Hyundai as part of the initiative, said: “It’s interesting to see that British drivers swear as often as 41 times every 100 miles.
“The challenge is making sure drivers don’t cross over from ‘auto annoyance’ to ‘road rage’. There are ways that everyone can ensure they’re in a positive mindset when they get behind the wheel – from removing distractions, listening to peaceful music or eating some chocolate.”
