For many South Africans, long hours behind the wheel have become part of everyday life. Whether it’s the morning commute, dropping children off at school, running errands or travelling to see family, time spent on the road quickly adds up, and new global research suggests it adds up more here than anywhere else.
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Fresh findings highlighted by Autotrader reveal that South Africa tops the list of 15 countries surveyed, with motorists spending an average of 10 hours and 38 minutes in their vehicles every week. Over the course of a year, that equates to roughly 23 days and one hour spent behind the wheel.
The gap between South Africa and the rest of the world is considerable, as Ireland ranks second with an average of 7 hours and 23 minutes of driving each week, followed by Australia at 7 hours and 8 minutes.
At the other end of the rankings, motorists in the Netherlands spend the least amount of time driving, averaging just 4 hours and 38 minutes a week.
While drivers across the 15 countries surveyed spend just over six hours a week in their cars on average, South Africans exceed that figure by more than four hours every week.
The study also found that South Africans spend more time in their cars than drivers anywhere else when it comes to the school run, averaging 1 hour and 14 minutes each week.
Visits to friends and family account for another 1 hour and 53 minutes, while everyday errands add an average of 1 hour and 36 minutes.
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Commuting remains another major contributor. South African motorists spend an average of 1 hour and 48 minutes travelling to and from work every week, the second-highest figure in the survey, trailing Australia by just one minute.
Elsewhere, the survey highlights very different driving habits, as France and Germany rank among the countries where motorists spend comparatively little time driving during the working week, thanks in part to well-developed public transport systems.
However, drivers in both countries spend the longest time travelling by car for holidays, suggesting many save their driving for longer leisure trips across mainland Europe.
Tom Roberts, car leasing expert at Autotrader, said the research highlights just how varied driving habits are around the world.
‘Our research shows just how differently the world drives, from South Africa’s long daily commutes and school runs, to French and German drivers saving their miles for the open road on a summer holiday. Wherever you are in the world, the time we spend in the car adds up to something significant.’
Roberts added that understanding personal driving habits can help motorists make more informed decisions when choosing a vehicle.
‘Understanding how much of your life is spent behind the wheel makes it easier to choose a car that actually fits how you live and drive – comfort, space and reliability mean more, the longer you spend on the road.’
Article shared by Cape Etc
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