Though some drivers find their daily commute peaceful, other motorists are feeling stressed, and there are five main reasons why.
If your daily commute involves driving for a long time, you may have felt the meditative and calming state you reach when you’re behind the wheel.
And though driving a car can offer an escape and a place to be alone with your thoughts, recently published data has revealed the top reasons some Aussies are actually feeling stressed on the roads.
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According to a survey conducted by Continental Tyres – which polled 1000 Australian drivers – 84 per cent of respondents said they felt stressed while driving, despite 76 per cent stating they viewed the car as a safe place to destress.
When asked what the biggest source of stress was while driving, 52 per cent of participants said other drivers and traffic were the biggest causes. However, respondents didn’t specifically state what about other motorists frustrated them.
Additionally, driving on unfamiliar roads was cited as a key cause of concern (42 per cent), while 40 per cent of Aussies said weather conditions also contributed to them feeling stressed while driving.
Interestingly, 33 per cent raised concerns about encountering “unclear signage”, while getting lost and the fear of accidents were each cited by 26 per cent of respondents.
It also seems people are calmer when driving on empty roads. The survey data revealed 30 per cent of respondents felt morning rush hour was the most stressful part of their commute, while 26 per cent said evening rush hour was also stressful.
The data also showed that Victorian drivers are the most stressed when it comes to driving, at 91 per cent, followed by motorists in Western Australia (84 per cent), Queensland (82 per cent), New South Wales (80 per cent), South Australia (77 per cent) and Tasmania (68 per cent).
Despite this, 76 per cent of survey participants said their car is a safe space where they can unwind and de-stress.
When asked what sort of trips they consider to be calming, 33 per cent cited scenic country drives, while 17 per cent said driving in coastal areas also helped alleviate stress.
More than half (57 per cent) said listening to music or podcasts was helpful in de-stressing while driving, while 39 per cent stated going on scenic drives was mentally beneficial.
A little bit of car karaoke never hurt anyone, with 27 per cent of survey participants stating singing out loud was also helpful to relax after a stressful day.
According to the managing director of Continental Tyres Australia, Mitchell Golledge, the data suggests a correlation between driving and a driver’s mental health.
“Driving can be one of life’s biggest stress triggers; with traffic, other drivers and delays all adding up. But for many Australian drivers, the car can also be a place of calm,” Golledge said in a media statement.
“Our research shows just how much time on the road can influence everyday mental wellbeing.”
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