Global: Where do drivers like to drive fast in their cars?

The EU has already made it mandatory for new cars to be fitted with speed limiters from 2022 onwards. Reductions in maximum speed will contribute to lower emissions and higher levels of safety, say campaigners.

But where in the world are drivers most likely to go fast?

According to data from YouGov Profiles, drivers in Poland were most likely to say that they like to drive fast (49%). A similar proportion of drivers in Germany also show this behaviour (47%), indicating that installing Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) in cars may be most disruptive for drivers in these markets.

Drivers in the UAE (46%), Mexico (46%) and urban India (46%) are close to the top of the list – ranking third, fourth and fifth, respectively. In the US, however, drivers are generally divided – a similar share say they like to drive fast while the rest prefer not to (45% vs 44%).

Amongst British drivers, the thrill of driving fast is not quite as popular. Close to half of the drivers in the survey prefer not to drive fast (48%), significantly outnumbering those who like to challenge the speedometer (36%). About one in six drivers in Great Britain are neutral (17%).

In Singapore, the inclination to drive fast is there among just a quarter of drivers (24%), while two in five oppose the idea of speeding when behind the wheels (40%).

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Methodology: YouGov Profiles is based on continuously collected data and rolling surveys, rather than from a single limited questionnaire. Profiles data is nationally representative and weighted by age, gender, education, region, and race. Learn more about YouGov Profiles.