RAC study shows drivers slap down UK roads in favour of those the other side of the Channel

23 July 2017

Drivers much prefer the experience of driving on the smooth, open roads the other side of Channel – worlds away from the congested and potholed roads of the United Kingdom – according to new research conducted by RAC European Breakdown.*

More than two-thirds of drivers (69%) said they think the condition of motorways and major roads is better in continental Europe than in the UK, while 64% believe traffic congestion on these roads is not as bad abroad. What’s more, 61% believe local roads in countries such as France, Germany and Spain are maintained to a better standard and more than half (53%) of drivers say the frequency of roadworks is better overseas compared to the UK.

Drivers cite the price of fuel as being lower on the continent (50% of respondents) – in the case of diesel they are quite right, with only Italy and Sweden selling more expensive diesel than the UK, despite UK diesel being subject to more tax (fuel duty) than any other country in Europe. But it’s less true when it comes to petrol – while Spain’s unleaded is a little cheaper, the fuel is more expensive in 12 other EU countries including popular driving destinations such as France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Motorists also think that speed limits on local roads abroad are more appropriate than those in the UK (45% of respondents), and also many believe the quality of motorway service areas and other rest areas, such as the much-loved ‘aires’ in France, are far superior in other EU countries.

With more vehicle miles driven in the UK in 2016 than at any time in the past, combined with some of the most congested city roads in the whole of Europe, it appears drivers relish the experience of taking their own car to the near continent for a much more pleasant road trip.

RAC European Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Our research paints a gloomy picture of the UK’s traffic-choked and potholed roads when compared to the smooth asphalt that can be found just across the English Channel.

“While it is perhaps a case of UK motorists looking through rose-tinted holiday glasses when they drive in France, Spain, Germany or the Netherlands, as the experience is such a marked contrast to the drudgery of driving on our heavily-congested roads, the general feeling is that the roads of continental Europe are better.

“And when it comes to things like the standard of roads, the quality of motorway service areas and the price of fuel, it’s hard for any driver to understand just why the UK appears to lag so far behind other countries in Europe.

“The UK’s major motorways and A-roads are currently enjoying significant investment, with a lot of this focused on helping these roads manage huge flows of traffic between our big towns and cities and tackling congestion pinch-points. These improvements are often sold to motorists as ‘short-term pain for long-term gain’, but the sight of miles of traffic cones and corresponding tailbacks is enough to make any regular driver start to feel glum.

“And while it’s those domestic roads that are off-the-beaten track that probably offer the most promise to UK motorists looking to enjoy the experience of driving once again, it’s sadly the case that many of these have suffered the most from underinvestment for years – and things don’t look like they are about to improve any time soon.

“So perhaps a trip in the car to Europe is the ideal way for many of us to rediscover just what driving is all about – and perhaps even fall in love with driving all over again. The summer is the ideal time to pack up the car, book a ferry or Eurotunnel trip, and set off to explore the towns, cities and fantastic scenery that can be found in France and beyond. The pound might have lost a lot of value to the Euro in the last 12 months, but our research suggests that a driving trip in Europe is the perfect antidote to the UK’s clogged up highways.”

The only aspects of the survey which the UK scored well in were for its easy-to-understand road signs (with 30% of drivers saying they were better in the UK, compared to just 10% elsewhere in the EU) and roadside information for drivers advising of delays (26% said better in the UK compared to 17% in the rest of the continent), and marginally the driving standard of native drivers (25% say they are better in the UK compared to 23% in continental Europe, but a sizeable 44% said there was little difference).

What drivers told the RAC they prefer about driving in the rest of Europe compared to the UK:

1. Condition of motorways and major A-roads (69% said this is better in continental Europe)
2. Congestion on motorways and other major roads (64% said this is better in continental Europe)
3. Condition of minor roads (61% said this is better in continental Europe)
4. Congestion on minor roads (55% said this is better in continental Europe)
5. Frequency of road works (53% said this is better in continental Europe)
6. Cost of fuel (50% said this is better in continental Europe)
7. Appropriateness of speed limits (45% these are better in continental Europe)
10. Quality of motorway service areas (42% said this is better in continental Europe); price of fuel at motorway service areas (42% said this is better in continental Europe); quality of other rest areas (42% said this is better in continental Europe)

A guide to where is best when it comes to different aspects of driving, according to drivers surveyed

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Less traffic congestion