Britons in a recent survey have said there is one thing in particular that’s is far superior in Europe than it is at home… and it’s not the weather, food or sightseeing.
A poll of 2,000 Britons has found the majority are jealous of the roads in Europe when they’ve been there on holiday or for business, saying they put our streets to shame.
While the UK’s network is plagued by potholes, drivers invariably prefer the pristine ribbons on asphalt that can be found across the Channel.
And the survey results even found that Britons think the quality of driving is better overseas than it is at home.
Britons jealous of Europe’s roads: RAC polled motorists who have driven across the Channel and the vast majority said conditions, cleanliness and driving standards are higher elsewhere
Almost three quarters of motorists who have experience of driving abroad think the condition of roads – such as the number and severity of potholes – is worse in the UK than in other countries, with just 8 per cent saying the UK fares better.
More than three in five of the panel also believe roadside litter is less of a problem abroad than it is this side of the Channel compared to the tiny 7 per cent who think the UK roads are cleaner than European neighbours.
In fact, of the 14 different aspects of roads and driving the RAC asked drivers to compare between Britain and other EU countries, Britain comes out better on just one – and that’s a no-brainer: the ‘ease of understanding road signs’.
On the issue of motorway driving speeds, over half of drivers polled said they see little difference in the number of people driving excessively fast whether they are at home or abroad, but a third still said the problem was less prevalent in other countries.
And while half said they can’t tell the difference between the standard of driving of UK drivers and their counterparts elsewhere in Europe, 28 per cent still felt foreign motorists drive better – compared to a fifth who think UK motorists do.
Overall, two-in-five drivers felt the experience of driving abroad is better abroad than it is in the UK, with only a quarter (24 per cent) saying they prefer getting behind the wheel this side of the Channel.
‘This research is utterly damning when it comes to the state of many of our nation’s roads when we compare them to the pristine ribbons of asphalt that can be found just across the Channel,’ explains RAC Europe spokesman Rod Dennis.
‘We’ve said for years that given the amount drivers pay in tax, it’s verging on the ridiculous that they have to endure no end of potholes when driving at home.
‘It’s clear from what drivers have told us they seem to forget all about potholes once they’ve left the UK, with unanimous agreement that foreign roads are simply better.’
Dennis says that while potholes are the biggest bugbear in the UK, drivers clearly think the roadsides are much cleaner in Europe, the painted road markings are maintained to a far higher standard and congestion – both in town and on motorways – is better elsewhere.
‘It’s perhaps little wonder then that around half of all the drivers we surveyed (48 per cent) have enjoyed driving abroad in the past, whether in their own car or one rented in the country where they were staying,’ Dennis added.
