Twenty-nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty hours, or in other words, around three years and four months. That’s how long the average British driver is estimated to spend in their car over a lifetime, according to data from Citroen. But how does our car culture compare to that of our European cousins?
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To find out, the car maker surveyed thousands of drivers across seven European countries to see how they spend their time inside their cars as part of its new brand campaign – ‘Citroen Inspired by You’. Auto Express was given exclusive access to the data, with everything from how many hours we spend eating and drinking, arguing and even romancing laid bare. Take a look and see if you match any national stereotypes.
United Kingdom
| Hours | |
| 19,486 | Spent driving |
| 10,264 | Spent as passenger |
Things UK drivers do most in their cars
| Hours | |
| 6,538 | Thank another driver |
| 4,245 | Sing |
| 3,974 | Talk to yourself |
Number of hours motorists in the UK were also found to spend...
| Hours | |
| 3,920 | Drinking |
| 2,643 | Kissing someone |
| 1,881 | Eating a meal |
| 936 | Shaving or applying make up |
| 87 | Searching for their car after forgetting where they parked |
Brits are among the most courteous drivers in Europe, spending on average 6,538 hours over our lifetime thanking other motorists. We also see our cars as more than just modes of transportation, spending plenty of time eating, drinking and even shaving inside them.
Germany
| Hours | |
| 25,693 | Spent driving |
| 7,757 | Spent as passenger |
Things German drivers do most in their cars
| Hours | |
| 3,611 | Listen to loud music |
| 3,393 | Greet someone |
| 3,240 | Thank another driver |
Number of hours motorists in Germany were also found to spend...
| Hours | |
| 1,077 | Eating a meal |
| 812 | Kissing someone |
| 130 | Asking others for directions |
| 129 | Shaving or applying make up |
| 56 | Sleeping in their car |
Germans spend over 6,000 hours more in their car than us Brits, but they spend far less time than us thanking other motorists. Drivers in Germany clearly have a more dry view of their cars, too, spending less time eating and drinking or kissing someone than us.
France
| Hours | |
| 23,064 | Spent driving |
| 10,179 | Spent as passenger |
Things French drivers do most in their cars
| Hours | |
| 4,803 | Sing |
| 4,513 | Thank another driver |
| 3,843 | Drink |
Number of hours motorists in France were also found to spend...
| Hours | |
| 2,953 | Eating a meal |
| 458 | Spilling a drink |
| 99 | Braking abruptly to avoid an accident |
| 70 | Searching for their car after forgetting where they parked |
When it comes to eating and drinking in a car, France is one of the top countries. Drivers also spend 458 hours spilling and cleaning up drinks. While France is seen as a country of romance, motorists spend just 2.60 hours romancing in a car – less than even Brits, who spend 3.4 hours.
Spain
| Hours | |
| 24,720 | Spent driving |
| 10,222 | Spent as passenger |
Things Spanish drivers do most in their cars
| Hours | |
| 3,875 | Singing |
| 2,994 | Thank another driver |
| 2,925 | Listen to loud music |
Number of hours motorists in Spain were also found to spend...
| Hours | |
| 1,690 | Kissing someone |
| 610 | Shaving or applying make up |
| 92 | Sleeping in their car |
| 4 | Making love in their car |
| 3.5 | Arguing with their mechanic about servicing costs |
The car culture in Spain ensures that Spanish drivers spend some of the longest time asleep in their car, but among the least amount of time shaving or applying make up. Drivers also spend the least time thanking drivers, while also passing more hours making love than questioning their mechanics.
Italy
| Hours | |
| 31,410 | Spent driving |
| 17,904 | Spent as passenger |
Things Italian drivers do most in their cars
| Hours | |
| 4,797 | Listen to loud music |
| 4,305 | Sing |
| 4,132 | Kiss someone |
Number of hours motorists in Italy were also found to spend...
| Hours | |
| 3,396 | Eating a meal in their car |
| 2,303 | Shaving or putting on make up |
| 202 | Arguing with someone |
| 132 | Searching for their car after forgetting where they parked |
| 7.6 | Making love |
When it comes to personal relationships the Italians cannot be topped. They spend the most time kissing other people in their car as well as having fun in the back. They’re also known for sharing their meals in a car while shaving and applying make up is far from uncommon, too.
Portugal
| Hours | |
| 22,728 | Spent driving |
| 12,163 | Spent as passenger |
Things Portuguese drivers do most in their cars
| Hours | |
| 6,918 | Greet someone |
| 6,596 | Thank another driver |
| 5,491 | Sing |
Number of hours motorists in Germany were also found to spend...
| Hours | |
| 1,872 | Searching for items underneath the seats |
| 980 | Car pooling |
| 352 | Shaving or applying make up |
| 254 | Braking to avoid a crash |
| 5.2 | Making love |
Portuguese drivers spend more time than most in Europe braking abruptly to avoid a collision. They were also found to be happier than most to ask for directions, as well as share their car with others. Applying make up and shaving ranks low for Portuguese drivers, though.
Poland
| Hours | |
| 23,251 | Spent driving |
| 11,252 | Spent as passenger |
Things Polish drivers do most in their cars
| Hours | |
| 4,042 | Thank another driver |
| 3,976 | Listen to loud music |
| 3,108 | Drink |
Number of hours motorists in Poland were also found to spend...
| Hours | |
| 243 | Spilling a drink |
| 80 | Sleeping in their car |
| 59 | Arguing with another driver |
| 44 | Searching for their car after forgetting where they parked |
| 1.9 | Making love |
Despite spending a lot of time sleeping in their cars, Polish drivers do it alone, passing just 1.90 hours back-seat romancing across their lifetime. Other nationalities spend lots more time figuring out where they parked their cars, Polish drivers must have better memories.
Do you follow your national stereotype, or do you buck the trend? Let us know below!
