Monday, July 31, 2017

Car culture: what drivers from different countries do in their cars

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New research shows your native car culture affects how you spend time in the car

2017-07-31 14:15

Twenty-nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty hours, or in other words, around three years and four months. That’s how long the average British driver is estimated to spend in their car over a lifetime, according to data from Citroen. But how does our car culture compare to that of our European cousins?

Your guide to driving abroad on holiday

To find out, the car maker surveyed thousands of drivers across seven European countries to see how they spend their time inside their cars as part of its new brand campaign – ‘Citroen Inspired by You’. Auto Express was given exclusive access to the data, with everything from how many hours we spend eating and drinking, arguing and even romancing laid bare. Take a look and see if you match any national stereotypes.  

United Kingdom

Hours
19,486 Spent driving
10,264 Spent as passenger

Things UK drivers do most in their cars

Hours
6,538 Thank another driver
4,245 Sing
3,974 Talk to yourself

Number of hours motorists in the UK were also found to spend...

Hours
3,920 Drinking
2,643 Kissing someone
1,881 Eating a meal
936 Shaving or applying make up
87 Searching for their car after forgetting where they parked

Brits are among the most courteous drivers in Europe, spending on average 6,538 hours over our lifetime thanking other motorists. We also see our cars as more than just modes of transportation, spending plenty of time eating, drinking and even shaving inside them.

Germany

Hours
25,693 Spent driving
7,757 Spent as passenger

Things German drivers do most in their cars

Hours
3,611 Listen to loud music
3,393 Greet someone
3,240 Thank another driver

Number of hours motorists in Germany were also found to spend...

Hours
1,077 Eating a meal
812 Kissing someone
130 Asking others for directions
129 Shaving or applying make up
56 Sleeping in their car

Germans spend over 6,000 hours more in their car than us Brits, but they spend far less time than us thanking other motorists. Drivers in Germany clearly have a more dry view of their cars, too, spending less time eating and drinking or kissing someone than us.

France

Hours
23,064 Spent driving
10,179 Spent as passenger

Things French drivers do most in their cars

Hours
4,803 Sing
4,513 Thank another driver
3,843 Drink

Number of hours motorists in France were also found to spend...

Hours
2,953 Eating a meal
458 Spilling a drink
99 Braking abruptly to avoid an accident
70 Searching for their car after forgetting where they parked

When it comes to eating and drinking in a car, France is one of the top countries. Drivers also spend 458 hours spilling and cleaning up drinks. While France is seen as a country of romance, motorists spend just 2.60 hours romancing in a car – less than even Brits, who spend 3.4 hours.

Spain

Hours
24,720 Spent driving
10,222 Spent as passenger

Things Spanish drivers do most in their cars

Hours
3,875 Singing
2,994 Thank another driver
2,925 Listen to loud music

Number of hours motorists in Spain were also found to spend...

Hours
1,690 Kissing someone
610 Shaving or applying make up
92 Sleeping in their car
4 Making love in their car
3.5 Arguing with their mechanic about servicing costs

The car culture in Spain ensures that Spanish drivers spend some of the longest time asleep in their car, but among the least amount of time shaving or applying make up. Drivers also spend the least time thanking drivers, while also passing more hours making love than questioning their mechanics.

Italy

Hours
31,410 Spent driving
17,904 Spent as passenger

Things Italian drivers do most in their cars

Hours
4,797 Listen to loud music
4,305 Sing
4,132 Kiss someone

Number of hours motorists in Italy were also found to spend...

Hours
3,396 Eating a meal in their car
2,303 Shaving or putting on make up
202 Arguing with someone
132 Searching for their car after forgetting where they parked
7.6 Making love

When it comes to personal relationships the Italians cannot be topped. They spend the most time kissing other people in their car as well as having fun in the back. They’re also known for sharing their meals in a car while shaving and applying make up is far from uncommon, too.

Portugal

Hours
22,728 Spent driving
12,163 Spent as passenger

Things Portuguese drivers do most in their cars

Hours
6,918 Greet someone
6,596 Thank another driver
5,491 Sing

Number of hours motorists in Germany were also found to spend...

Hours
1,872 Searching for items underneath the seats
980 Car pooling
352 Shaving or applying make up
254 Braking to avoid a crash
5.2 Making love

Portuguese drivers spend more time than most in Europe braking abruptly to avoid a collision. They were also found to be happier than most to ask for directions, as well as share their car with others. Applying make up and shaving ranks low for Portuguese drivers, though.

Poland

Hours
23,251 Spent driving
11,252 Spent as passenger

Things Polish drivers do most in their cars

Hours
4,042 Thank another driver
3,976 Listen to loud music
3,108 Drink

Number of hours motorists in Poland were also found to spend...

Hours
243 Spilling a drink
80 Sleeping in their car
59 Arguing with another driver
44 Searching for their car after forgetting where they parked
1.9 Making love

Despite spending a lot of time sleeping in their cars, Polish drivers do it alone, passing just 1.90 hours back-seat romancing across their lifetime. Other nationalities spend lots more time figuring out where they parked their cars, Polish drivers must have better memories.

Do you follow your national stereotype, or do you buck the trend? Let us know below!

Martin Saarinen

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