In a recent study, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts revealed that Cardiff is officially in the top 3 most daunting UK cities for nervous drivers. 

In Cardiff, 120 Google searches are made each month for ‘how to overcome the fear of driving’, as people look for advice to combat their nerves. 

 

Why is Cardiff so daunting for nervous drivers?

 

  • The number of road vehicles in Cardiff has soared by 25.8% in 29 years, with traffic jams causing nerves among some drivers. 

 

  • Every month in Cardiff, 120 Google searches are made for ‘how to overcome the fear of driving’ so it seems many locals are struggling with confidence. 

 

  • Parking is a huge concern within the city, with Google searches for ‘where to park?’ hitting 1,020 each month. 

 

  • Known for its adverse weather, Cardiff experiences an average of 89.3mm of precipitation and 9.6 rainy days per month, meaning driving conditions are not always beneficial to the driver. 

 

  • The city boasts 65 petrol stations within a 10 mile radius, but ‘where is the nearest petrol station’ still receives 430 Google searches a month. 

 

The most daunting UK cities for nervous drivers

 

Rank

City

Traffic Increase

Petrol Stations

Precipitation (per month)

Rainy Days (per month)

Rank

1

Glasgow

30.80

178

102.3

11.6

73.11%

2

Wakefield

35.73

182

67.4

9.4

72.42%

3

Cardiff

25.77

65

89.3

9.6

72.43%

4

Swansea

32.12

56

110.1

11.3

71.21%

5

Leeds

25.27

199

67.4

9.4

66.73%

 

 

Expert reveals key tips for nervous drivers navigating Cardiff

Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has revealed five simple steps you can take to ease nerves whilst driving in Cardiff.

  1. Share the journey 

If you are an anxious driver, having a confident driver in the passenger seat can help ease your discomfort whilst driving. They may help calmly direct you to your destination, or simply offer encouragement whilst navigating traffic, roundabouts or parking. 

  1. Take advanced lessons 

Even if you have passed your driving test, taking advanced lessons with an instructor can help you overcome your fear of driving. Advanced lessons can vary from motorway lessons to simply navigating roads easily. Talking to an instructor about some of your worries will make you feel better and they can offer ways to ease fear.

  1. Avoid driving in rush hour 

If you do have a fear of driving, you may find that driving during rush hour or even in difficult weather conditions can induce worry, so it’s best to avoid driving during these times if you work a 9-5. 

  1. Prepare yourself

For anyone with driving anxiety, you should avoid driving on an empty stomach or relying on caffeine. Small things like this can increase your driving fear massively, so before driving ensure you’ve eaten and avoided caffeine to avoid your body feeling anxious before you’ve driven. 

  1. Talk to a professional

Not all driving fears can be fixed simply, so seeking therapy or help from a professional can help you identify the cause of your driving anxiety and provide you with techniques to help you become a confident driver.