TopGear, a British TV production, is one of the most popular racing vehicle TV shows in the world. We Americans are forced to watch it on YouTube, unless we get the BBC channel. No biggie since the Youtube videos are commercial free (for now), giving us precious minutes back to our busy lives.The Brits sure do love speed, but with all their road congestion, speed taps, speed cameras, etc. I've always wondered how Brits could possibly enjoy speed. Britain probably has the highest density of speed cameras in the world. Or at least it seems like it, since all the GPS forums I peruse have lots of British people looking for GPS coordinates for speed cameras and speed traps.
In any event , today I was sent an interesting study by Garmin UK about how United Kingdom roads are driving motorists to despair. And on a side note, I did receive my Garmin Nuvi 350 I won on eBay and it didn't match the serial number of the one stolen at Typhoon Lagoon in Disney World. Ah well, it was worth a shot. The unit I did receive is in great condition, has v8.0 maps (stolen Nuvi had v7.0), and only cost me $227, so I can't complain.
In any event, Garmin sent me this report titled, "End Of The Road For The Great British Drive". Interestingly, Garmin didn't pitch their GPS products or how their traffic reporting subscription can make driving in Britain a little more fun.
Check out what the interesting report says...
THE thrill of the open road is a distant memory across the nation, according to a study released today - almost half of all Brits can't name a great place to drive.
New research by YouGov for Sat Nav experts Garmin found that endless traffic jams (84 per cent), accidents (35 per cent), boring scenery (26 per cent) and confusing road signs (20 per cent) are to blame.
Garmin's Claire Carter said: "Driving in America conjures images of Route 66 and Route 1 and in Australia it's the Great Ocean Road. In Britain, we're more likely to think of the M25 and the M6. It's hardly surprising that driving in Britain is regarded as more pain than pleasure."
Endless traffic jams saw the M25 crowned the worst road in Britain to drive by almost one in three people (31 per cent).
London was voted the worst city for driving with confusing road signs, one way systems and constant road works making the experience particularly unpleasant.
In contrast, the A591 between Keswick and Lake Windermere in the Lake District was voted the best road in Britain to go for a drive, closely followed by the A82 Glasgow to Fort William in Scotland.
Garmin's Claire Carter added: "The open expanses and sweeping hillside routes of Cumbria, Scotland and Devon dominate Britain's best drives taking the top three spots in our poll. The stunning scenery, challenging twists and turns and almost traffic-free driving on these roads are ideal for an enjoyable and relaxing journey."
Former F1 driver Perry McCarthy, Top Gear's original "Stig", said: "For most of us, driving in Britain is one long traffic jam, but it doesn't have to be like that. It's easy to forget how much pleasure you can get from driving down a country road with its variety of corners, views and challenges.
"With all the headlines about congestion, speed cameras and poor road surfaces, it's easy to forget that driving can be such a positive experience."
More that one in five (22 per cent) of British men regard driving to a holiday destination as their most memorable drive - more than said their own wedding day (6 per cent).
Just one in ten men (10 per cent) reckon taking their baby home from hospital for the first time was their most memorable journey.
Sunday was voted as the best day to go for a drive by almost a quarter (23 per cent) of those polled, apart from younger drivers between 18 and 24 years old who prefer driving late at night on a weekday.
Top Ten Worst Roads in Britain
1) M25
2) M6
3) Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham
4) North Circular in London
5) Oxford Circus
6) M1
7) Hanger Lane Gyratory in London
8) South Circular
9) M62
10) M5
Top Ten Best Roads in Britain
1) A591 between Keswick and Lake Windermere in the Lake District
2) A82 Glasgow to Fort William in Scotland
3) A38 from Exeter to Plymouth
4) M48 across the Severn Bridge
5) A696 from Newcastle Upon Tyne to the Scottish Borders
6) A3 overlooking the Devils Punchbowl in Surrey
7) A1 or A167 when you see the Angel of the North
8) A537 out of Macclesfield
9) A25 from Dorking to Guildford
10) Oxford Street in London
Top Five Most Memorable Drives
1) Going on a holiday
2) Taking your baby home from the hospital for the first time
3) Going to your wedding
4) Going on a road trip with friends
5) Going on a romantic drive/date
Technorati
Del.icio.us
Slashdot
Digg
twitter
I'm surprised only 10% of men rated driving their baby home - I guess the figure is skewed by men without kids. I found it absolutely terrifying especially when white van man with an IQ in single digits decided the only place he wanted to be on the road was 3 feet from my bumper!
There's a road which runs right along the north coast of Scotland which is really nice. We drove it in June, and actually slept in the car - weird because it's so far north that it doesn't get dark at night. It's really quite beautiful. The switchback road to Applecross is neat, if annoying.
Seven of the ten worst roads are in London (including the bottom of the M1). No surprise there.
Try getting out of the city into the countryside. Within 1 1/2 hours of London you have Warwickshire, The Cotswolds and the Malverns is only a little further.
Sat nav is fine for getting from A to B in the quickest time. But if you want to go for a drive. Turn the sat nav off, get a map out and follow your nose.
If you want a couple of wonderful drives try 'The Romantic Road' and 'The Test Hills Run'.
Tony Merrygold - The Open Road - Classic Car Hire