A recent survey has revealed that the Wild Atlantic Way is the second most popular international driving route to take a road-trip on.
Research conducted by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, part of the world’s largest vehicle rental company, reveals Irish attitudes to driving in foreign countries with over one fifth (21%) of respondents citing Italy as the least enjoyable country to drive in. The research also found that 45% of respondents believe Italian motorists to be the worst drivers. France came in second, with 16% of those surveyed citing it as an unenjoyable country to drive in.
Irish motorists consider neighbouring UK to be the most enjoyable country to drive in with 40% having had a pleasant driving experience within the British Isles. Other countries Irish holidaymakers enjoy driving in include, Spain (28%), United States of America (22%) and Germany (15%).
More than half (59%) of those surveyed see other nationalities as better drivers than Irish motorists – and over one third of respondents (35%) state that they believe German motorists to be the most careful of drivers.
When questioned about their ideal country for a road trip, two in five (41%) stated that the US would come top of mind, while France surprisingly took second place (27%) despite being cited by some respondents as an unenjoyable country to drive in.
The Enterprise research further revealed that many Irish dream about taking a road trip on the world renowned Route 66 in the US with 37% declaring it to be their preferred choice of scenic drives worldwide. The Wild Atlantic Way is next with 26% of those surveyed keen to travel on the route, it was followed by Amalfi Coast, Italy (23%) and Great Ocean Road, Australia (22%).
Managing Director of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ireland, George O’Connor said. “The research revealed some interesting nuggets on Irish attitudes to stressful driving routes abroad. The fact that Italy came out on top may reflect Irish drivers’ concerns about driving on the other side of the road and competing with local drivers who are more familiar with driving in busy urban areas”.