Bristol bucks Britain's road rage trend as drivers named calmest on UK roads

Bristol motorists are among the least likely to end up in a fit of road rage, according to new research. While almost one in ten Brits admit to experiencing road rage every day, in Bristol that figure drops to just 7%, placing the city at the calmer end of the spectrum. 

We surveyed 2,000 British drivers and found those in Southampton are most likely to lose their cool behind the wheel, with Manchester and London also ranking highly. 

For Bristolians, the most common cause of road rage was revealed as middle lane hogging (31%), followed by not indicating correctly (29%), and being distracted on the phone (28%). 

When it comes to letting other drivers know their frustrations, Bristol motorists are most likely to hit the horn (28%), swear (24%), and gesture with their hands (22%).

Research also revealed that younger drivers are most likely to lose it behind the wheel. The data found that almost one quarter (23%) of Gen Z drivers experience road rage daily, more than any other generation. They are also the only generation to lose it over slow drivers, compared to other generations who are most likely to lose their cool over tailgating or traffic.

What's more, the findings show that BMW drivers are among the most hot-headed, with over three quarters (76%) admitting to monthly road rage, and over a quarter (27%) saying it happens daily. Tesla drivers aren't far behind, with almost three quarters (71%) experiencing monthly road rage.

According to experts, the winter months can be the worst for road rage, with short days and dark nights causing drivers to feel fatigued and more easily frustrated. 

Jonathan, motoring expert here at First Response Finance, comments:

"These findings highlight just how emotionally charged UK roads can be - even though Bristol stands out for its calmer driving culture. Hogging the middle lane, which tops the list as the leading cause of road rage in Bristol, is not only inconsiderate but also dangerous, as it reduces reaction time and significantly increases the risk of collisions. 

"But road rage doesn't just escalate tension, it can hit drivers hard in the wallet. Aggressive behaviours like tailgating, swerving, or brake-checking can lead to penalties for careless or dangerous driving, with fines, points, or even driving bans. These offences also have a direct impact on insurance premiums. Even minor convictions and penalties can increase annual premiums by hundreds of pounds, and insurers may refuse to pay out if aggressive driving leads to a crash." 

"The fact that over half of Brits admit to experiencing road rage monthly, and that many respond with beeping, swearing, or gesturing, highlights the need for better education around road etiquette and emotional regulation. A calmer driving culture would not only improve safety but also protect drivers from serious financial and legal consequences."

Sources and methodology: 

• Survey of over 2,000+ UK adults (18+), October 2025

Additional sources:

Which? - How much could speeding impact your car insurance?

Go Compare - Breaking: drivers could be paying an additional £291 million for car insurance due to speeding convictions

RAC - Tailgating - what you need to know