Learning to drive is a major milestone in anyone’s life. As we learn the rules and how to operate a car, we develop our personal driving style. Some of us may think we’ve reached a stage of knowing all we need to be safe behind the wheel. But the truth is, there’s always something new to learn. Understanding the kind of UK driver you are will help you to keep improving.

The UK is ranked 2^nd in all of Europe for the safest roads. Only Sweden beats us UK motorists with 3 fewer deaths per million people. The majority of accidents are down to human error. Distracted drivers, drink and drug drivers, and drowsy drivers are some of the biggest culprits for causing accidents.

Driving style is also related to how safe UK roads are. 96% of drivers believe they’re safe behind the wheel. Another 82% of us think we’d be able to pass our test again if we needed to retake it.

In fairly recent survey, Aviva, YouGov and the Telegraph identified five different types of UK motorists. Each of these groups display distinct driving behaviours – from a keen interest in sticking to the rules to unintentional rule-breakers that nervously navigate roads. Understanding which UK driver you identify with can help to make your driving better and more fun.

The rule-conscious UK driver

This kind of driver loves rules and sticking to them – to the letter! Rule-conscious drivers have the lowest number of driving offences and just 16% have ever received a speeding fine. 26% claim they’d never, ever, break traffic laws.

If you’re in this category, you probably agree that drivers with six or more penalty points need to retake their test. Lifetime bans for drink and drug drivers and harsher penalties for using a phone behind the wheel are also a good idea – from your perspective. The trouble is, although stricter rules may work for people who take the rules seriously, it won’t impact those who throw caution (and rules) to the wind.

The over-confident driver

Chances are, if you’ve been driving for a couple of decades, you’ve racked up some serious experience. Over-confident drivers have been travelling UK roads for over 20 years and are most likely to be male.

Despite having seen it all, and knowing everything because of their experience, over-confident drivers aren’t averse to breaking the rules if no one is watching. Even so, they’re all for strengthening rules for other drivers. Particularly younger male drivers who are inexperienced and more likely to be involved in accidents.

The very confidence of these kinds of drivers is their weakness. They overestimate their skill and can be complacent when they get behind the wheel. If you’re this kind of UK driver, make an effort to stay alert and keep on developing good driving habits.

Easy-going drivers

Conflict averse, eager to get along and unlikely to fall victim to feelings of road rage, easy-going drivers are generally safe UK motorists. More even-tempered than other drivers, this type of UK driver is cool and calm behind the wheel.

Although this kind of motorist is confident in their skill, they’ll admit to making careless mistakes and occasionally disregarding the speed limit. They’re not aggressive on the road and would never cut another driver off or force their way into a line of traffic. They could benefit from defensive driving courses and tips.

These drivers are unlikely to back stricter traffic laws or the re-taking of a driving test for people with 6 or more demerit points. They do, however, agree with over-confident drivers that experience on the road increases driver safety.

The wannabe racing driver

This UK driver habitually speeds on the motorway and consciously breaks road rules. Many of the drivers who fall into this group are a little younger – the average age being 44.

Unsurprisingly, this kind of driver isn’t keen on the road rules we have, let alone making them stricter! They’re also more likely to get angry behind the wheel, swear at other motorists and become aggressive on the road. Tailgating and forcefully overtaking other motorists are just a few of the common behaviours for this type of UK driver.

These behaviours lead to some severe consequences. More than 50% of wannabe racing drivers have been involved in an accident and 43% have received a speeding fine. If you identify with this type of driver, tips for avoiding road rage will help you become safer on the road. You’ll have more fun behind the wheel too.

Nervous Nelly

Poor driving conditions, busy roads and unfamiliar routes put this kind of driver on edge. In fact, getting behind the wheel is an anxiety-inducing act. These drivers tend to be timid road users and the majority are women. They’re also younger and less experienced than the other types of UK drivers.

The uncertainty of nervous Nelly’s on the roads puts them and other drivers at risk. Their anxiety behind the wheel makes them more aware of their mistakes and increases the chances of making more. Because of this, they’re more likely to break road rules by accident and panic when driving conditions get stressful. Tips for driving in different conditions can help nervous Nelly drivers.

This type of UK driver will do well to plan road trips in advance and take time to calm themselves before pulling away from the curb. Breathing deeply and talking through the manoeuvres they need to make while driving can help them keep their cool. A calmer driving state leads to better practices behind the wheel and a boost in confidence too.

Why your driving style matters

The more aware you are of your driving style, the more opportunity you have to perfect it. Being honest about your strengths and weaknesses gives you room to grow as a driver. No one knows it all and we can all improve our skills when it comes to driving (and other skills too). If you noticed your driving tendencies in the above driver style descriptions, work on improving in the areas that are most needed.