Belfast named UK’s most conscientious driving city in new study
Belfast drivers are the most likely in the UK to see themselves as calm, careful and considerate behind the wheel, according to new research into motorists’ personalities and driving habits.
The nationwide study of 2,000 drivers ranked Belfast top for “conscientious driving”, ahead of Glasgow, Leeds and Cardiff, despite the city’s well-documented traffic pressures and increasingly congested roads.
The research, from car insurance provider Ageas, used questions from the globally recognised Big Five Personality Test to measure traits linked to conscientiousness, including organisation, patience, responsibility and self-control. Belfast motorists achieved the highest average score in the UK at 29.1 out of 40.
The findings come at a time when driving in Belfast has become a growing frustration for many commuters, with congestion regularly sparking debate online
Despite those challenges, the study suggests Belfast motorists may actually be more likely than drivers elsewhere in the UK to describe themselves as attentive, prepared and patient on the road.
The top five UK cities for conscientious driving were:
Belfast – 29.10
Glasgow – 28.45
Leeds – 28.19
Sheffield – 28.19
Cardiff – 28.11
At the other end of the rankings, Southampton, Brighton and Norwich recorded the lowest scores.
Karen Hay, Consumer Psychologist at Ageas, said the research offers insight into how drivers perceive their own behaviour rather than a measure of driving ability.
“This study gives us a useful window into how different drivers see themselves behind the wheel. What comes through strongly is that drivers tend to describe their driving in ways that feel familiar and true to them, whether that’s being organised, calm, flexible or simply prepared for everyday situations. It’s a very human way of talking about driving, and it reflects the everyday habits and attitudes people bring to the road.”
Conscientiousness is one of the five major personality traits used in psychology and is often associated with planning, focus and discipline. In driving, those traits can influence behaviours such as anticipating hazards, maintaining safe distances and staying calm in heavy traffic.
The study also ranked drivers by car brand, with Skoda owners recording the highest conscientiousness scores overall, followed by Volvo and Dacia drivers. Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz motorists ranked lowest, although researchers stressed this reflects personality self-perception rather than actual road safety.
While the research takes a light-hearted look at Britain’s driving personalities, it also highlights how local road conditions may shape motorists’ attitudes and habits behind the wheel.
For Belfast drivers navigating packed commuter routes, bus lanes, city centre bottlenecks and daily delays, staying patient may simply have become part of the driving experience.