Croydon ranked UK's most stressful place to drive
A MoneySuperMarket study placed the borough last out of 58 locations for driving conditions.
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The central claim is attributed to MoneySuperMarket, with two named experts providing commentary.
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The article explains why the ranking matters and includes quotes from experts and a survey.
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The headline uses 'DEAD LAST' which is strong but supported by the article's findings.
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Croydon has been named the most stressful place to drive in the United Kingdom. A study by MoneySuperMarket assessed driving conditions across 58 UK locations, with Croydon scoring the lowest at 22 out of a possible 100 points. The research considered elements including the number of road incidents, traffic volume, and concerns about vehicle crime.
Factors contributing to Croydon's low score
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The study found that Croydon recorded more than 3,700 road incidents during 2024. Additionally, the borough features 248 one-way roads, which can contribute to driving complexity. Driving offences within Croydon saw a significant rise of 25 per cent between 2023 and 2025, with penalty points increasing by 18.5 per cent over the same period.
Other locations that featured in the top 10 most challenging places to drive included Derby, which scored 24, Manchester and Leeds with 25 points each, and Preston at 28 points. Birmingham, Blackpool, Bradford, Wakefield, and Oldham also appeared in this list.
Comparison with other UK locations
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In contrast, Bath was identified as the easiest place to drive in the UK, achieving a score of 68 out of 100. Bath recorded only 357 road incidents in 2024, and its vehicle traffic decreased by 0.9 per cent over the last decade. The study also surveyed 2,000 UK motorists, revealing that 81 per cent have avoided driving to certain locations due to anticipated stress or difficulty.
Motorists cited impatient or aggressive drivers as the primary source of frustration, with 65 per cent of respondents finding this stressful. Bad weather was a concern for 64.8 per cent, while driving in unfamiliar areas caused stress for 59.6 per cent. Heavy traffic and congestion were issues for 59.1 per cent, and parking difficulties affected 56.9 per cent.
Alicia Hempsted, a car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, stated that the research highlights the stress and uncertainty driving can bring, particularly in areas with more recorded incidents, car thefts, or heavy traffic. She expressed hope that the report would offer drivers a clearer understanding of what to expect on their journeys.
Questions this report answers
+What was Croydon's score in the driving stress study?
Croydon scored 22 out of 100 in the MoneySuperMarket study assessing driving conditions across 58 UK locations. This low score placed it as the most stressful place to drive in the UK.
+What factors were considered in the MoneySuperMarket study?
The study examined several factors including the number of road incidents, traffic levels, and concerns related to vehicle crime. These elements were used to determine the level of driving difficulty in each location.
+How do Croydon's driving statistics compare to other places?
Croydon recorded over 3,700 road incidents in 2024 and has 248 one-way roads. Driving offences rose by 25% between 2023 and 2025. In contrast, Bath, named the easiest place to drive, had only 357 incidents in 2024.
+What makes driving stressful for motorists according to the survey?
The survey indicated that 65% of motorists find dealing with impatient or aggressive drivers stressful. Other significant factors included bad weather (64.8%), driving in unfamiliar areas (59.6%), heavy traffic (59.1%), and parking difficulties (56.9%).
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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