The findings are part of a new ŠKODA Ireland Motoring Index released to mark the launch of its new 4x4 range which will extend four wheel drive capability to the masses by introducing it to ŠKODA saloon and estate models as well as the popular ŠKODA Yeti SUV model.
Driving Skills & Car Maintenance
The ŠKODA Ireland study revealed that two in five (40%) Irish motorists believe that they are a better driver than their partner. Unsurprisingly, men boast the clear majority in driving confidence with 49% stating they have superior driving skills to their partner compared to just 16% of women.
Despite this, male drivers were more likely to have broken the speed limit. More male participants (64%) than females (45%) admitted to driving at speeds of 140, 160, 180 & 200km/h. Alarmingly, 9% of participants - all male - admitted to driving at speeds above 200km/h.
One in ten (10%) Irish motorists admitted to damaging another person’s vehicle while parking. While more than half waited to confess to the other driver, almost 1 in 5 offenders (18%) drove off without telling anybody.
The survey revealed stark gender differences with regards to certain car maintenance tasks. One in five (20%) motorists surprisingly revealed they cannot change a spare wheel. 37% of female participants confessed to being unable to change a wheel compared with 2% of males. One in four (25%) female participants said they had never checked the oil in their car.
Winter driving
Motorists revealed interesting winter driving habits. With regards to de-frosting the car on cold mornings, sensibly 72% of those surveyed used the in-car heater, 42% used a de-icer kit while a risky 26% poured boiling water over the windscreen.
During the chaos of last year’s freezing winter, two in three (66%) participants chose to drive to work regardless of the snow and ice, followed by 23% of motorists who instead worked from home and 23% who opted to use public transport. Encouragingly, only 8% of motorists surveyed opted to pull a duvet day during last years’ treacherous winter weather.