European Drivers Rate Themselves—and Each Other

Europeans consider Swedish drivers the best (47%) and Italians the worst (50%), according to a poll by the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation for Responsible Driving.

The study surveyed more than 7,000 drivers in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.

Most respondents (61%) believe it will be impossible for Europe to meet the EU's goal of reducing the region's traffic fatality rate 50% by 2020. The same proportion opine that the main causes of highway deaths are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, followed by inattentiveness and speeding.

Europeans are critical of other drivers, with 41% describing their fellow motorists as irresponsible and 29% labeling them aggressive.

Virtually all respondents consider themselves superior in driving ability, giving themselves an average score of 7.8 out of 10. Yet most acknowledge such bad behavior as speeding (86%), following too closely (62%), swearing at other drivers (56%), sending or receiving text messages while driving (26%) and falling asleep at the wheel (25%).