Skip to main content

Survey: British drivers’ biggest gripes are time wasted in traffic and searching for parking spaces

New online research, commissioned by Nuance Communications and carried out by YouGov, which quizzed drivers on their expectations around in-car digital technology, found that time wasted in traffic (70 per cent) and searching for parking spaces (53 per cent) were cited as British drivers’ most common gripes when on the road. This survey, of 2062 adults, of which 1621 have a driving licence, demonstrates that British drivers would look for in-car technology to humanise their driving experience, by enabli
May 17, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
New online research, commissioned by Nuance Communications and carried out by YouGov, which quizzed drivers on their expectations around in-car digital technology, found that time wasted in traffic (70 per cent) and searching for parking spaces (53 per cent) were cited as British drivers’ most common gripes when on the road.

This survey, of 2062 adults, of which 1621 have a driving licence, demonstrates that British drivers would look for in-car technology to humanise their driving experience, by enabling them to stay in touch with people and increase the enjoyment of driving.

Drivers are also more focused on the driving experience than expecting automotive assistants to help them be more productive. Indeed, many drivers expect their automotive assistants to act as guide while on the road (58 per cent), to help them stay connected with friends and family (21 percent) and to entertain them (22 per cent), while productivity was an important factor for just 10 per cent of respondents.

Further key figures include: 35 per cent of British drivers would prefer a biometric solution (face or voice recognition) to identify them rather than traditional car keys (27 per cent); Two-thirds of drivers would like their automotive assistant to learn from them and their past behaviour to deliver a better user experience; Two in five drivers want their car to learn from their preferred routes, while more than a quarter want their car to remember their behaviour, including individual preferences for types of cuisine, price preferences, off-street parking, etc;  Nearly half of UK drivers want their car to help them deal with car diagnostics, for example, to report issues, and help them understand new car features.

When provided with a list of high profile names to choose from as their preferred digital in-car automotive assistant, one in five chose Stephen Fry, with just 10 per cent selecting driving guru and former Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson.

Looking to the future, consumers would want their cars to proactively tell them if there is free parking at their destination, let them know if they don’t have enough fuel to complete their journey, and if they are likely to arrive late (60 per cent, 59 per cent, and 34 per cent, respectively).

Related Content

  • The cost benefits of LED traffic signals
    July 16, 2012
    On 11 January 2005, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) began installing GELcore LED traffic signal modules state-wide through an Energy Savings Performance Contract. In tendering for the work, the energy service contractors could choose any manufacturers equipment but all of them proposed to use the GELcore brand.
  • Evolving technology - debating the future of the ITS industry
    January 25, 2012
    Harry Voccola talks to ITS International about where he sees the intelligent transportation industry heading
  • Managed charging to solve EV demand issue, says TRL
    September 10, 2019
    Managed charging (MC) can shift electric vehicle (EV) charging demand in the UK away from peak times, according to a study led by TRL. MC aims to shift plug-in vehicle (PiV) charging load to times - such as overnight - when other demands are low. TRL found that, after experiencing some form of MC, the vast majority of people would be happy to switch to it. This research, part of TRL’s Vehicles and Energy Integration (CVEI) project, set out to investigate the challenges and opportunities involved in
  • Tattile demonstrates Tolling+ among innovative solutions
    April 16, 2024
    Intertraffic has received a supercharged boost with Tattile, the company bringing cutting-edge tech straight out of the Fortress of ITS-itude! Hold on for a whirlwind tour of their innovative solutions, all under the watchful eye of a real-life Superman.