A new global survey by car insurance expert MoneySuperMarket has found that BMW and Kia drivers are considered the most dangerous on the roads, but for entirely different reasons. The study, which surveyed around 4,800 drivers across 20 countries, including South Africa, the UK, the USA, Brazil, and Australia, highlights contrasting perceptions of driving behavior.
According to the survey, BMW drivers were deemed the most dangerous for their tendencies to “drive too fast,” “drive too aggressively,” and, unsurprisingly, for frequently failing to signal when turning. In contrast, Kia drivers were perceived as the worst offenders for “driving too slowly.” Other brands, such as Toyota, Volvo, Hyundai, and Honda, were also flagged for their slow driving habits, trailing just behind Kia.
Interestingly, Tesla owners topped the list for being “bad at parking,” followed by drivers of Ford, Hyundai, BMW, and Kia vehicles.
While BMW drivers are often perceived as reckless, they are also followed by drivers of Mercedes, Audi, Tesla, and Subaru in the category of speeding. Ford drivers came in as runners-up for aggressive driving, closely followed by Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
This is not the first instance of negative perceptions surrounding BMW drivers. A UK study earlier this year found that owners of the Bavarian brand exhibited narcissistic personality traits, while a 2021 study suggested they were more likely to be psychopaths.
However, perceptions do not always align with reality. MoneySuperMarket’s research indicated that Audi drivers were most frequently reported for speeding offenses on insurance policies, with BMW drivers ranking fifth, behind Volkswagen, Mercedes, and Honda. Kia drivers, despite their reputation for slow driving, ranked 15th in reported speeding offenses.
The survey also assessed driver behavior in a more positive light, ranking brands according to courteousness. Volvo drivers were recognized as the most “courteous and polite,” followed by Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, and Honda. Toyota drivers were noted for their willingness to let others merge, with Kia, Volvo, Hyundai, and Nissan drivers following closely behind.
Volvo drivers also excelled in using turn signals properly and demonstrated good parking skills.
“The study highlights personality assumptions linked to car ownership,” the researchers noted. “Toyota and Volvo drivers are most often seen as practical and sensible, while Hyundai drivers are perceived globally as modest and humble.”