Latest news with #MattClamp
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Magic Roundabout ranked as one of UK's most stressful junctions
The Magic Roundabout in Swindon has been ranked as one of the UK's most 'stressful' junctions. A new survey of 1,000 drivers found that the iconic landmark placed second, just below the Hanger Lane Gyratory in London. For more than 50 years, the unusual layout - which arranges five mini-roundabouts in circle around a central island - has fascinated and confused people who are unfamiliar with Swindon's roads network, particularly as it is possible to navigate that central island in an anti-clockwise direction. The survey, by the Scrap Car Comparison website, is based on how drivers felt when shown one street view perspective and one satellite image of various junctions and roundabouts. These motorists were then asked to rate from on a scale of one to 10 how much confusion, fear, anxiety and confidence they felt at the thought of driving through it. The Magic Roundabout scored 42, which placed it above Norwich's Cromer Road & Boundary Road Junction, The Crooked Billet Interchange in Waltham Forest, and Ynysforgan Roundabout in Swansea. Recommended reading: Eager shoppers queue up as new Designer Outlet store opens Town centre Poundland closed and boarded up Health warning made more severe as Wiltshire hit with 30C heat Customer service manager Matt Clamp said: 'Driving through unfamiliar junctions can rattle even the most experienced motorists. 'Our advice? Start by planning ahead, tools such as Street View or route planners can help you visualise the road before you set off. 'Try to get into the correct lane early by watching for signs and markings. 'Don't let other road users rush you - it's perfectly okay to go at your own pace. 'Always signal clearly and confidently to show your intentions, especially if you need to change lanes. 'Consider driving at quieter times of day when the roads are less busy. A little preparation can go a long way in turning a potentially stressful drive into a safe and confident journey.' The Magic Roundabout may seem bewildering at first glance but it is easier to navigate than it looks. It recently won the honour of Roundabout of the Year, with the awards body describing it as a 'terrific traffic-island system'. Cllr Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet member for transport, said: 'The Magic Roundabout is a proud part of Swindon's history and we wouldn't have it any other way. 'We know it can be intimidating for some, but if drivers take it slow and steady then it can be easily navigated. 'While accidents might happen, this isn't inherently to do with the roundabout itself and it is very safe. 'If drivers are still nervous, there's always the tried and tested method of just driving round the outside.'
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Revealed: Mazda drivers least friendly to cyclists on the road
Study also finds that Suzuki drivers are the most courteous to cyclists. Cyclists in the UK did not have good things to say about Mazda drivers. Picture: Supplied A study in the United Kingdom revealed that Mazda owners are the most negative towards cyclists that share the road with them, while Suzuki drivers were found to be the most cyclist friendly. Even I don't like cyclists sometimes with their 'I own the road' attitude, and I get why motorists get irate with them. And by them, I mean us. I am weekend warrior, social, mountain biker, that does take to the road sometimes to keep the legs turning when I don't have time to head off into the bush. And I have to say that being on the road with angry drivers around is not fun. Mazda owners 'highly' frustrated United Kingdom-based Scrap Car Comparison surveyed 2 000 drivers to analyse their attitudes and behaviours towards cyclists on the road. Using the responses they then created a unique 'cycling negativity score' to reveal whether certain car owners are more or less likely to have an issue with a cyclist. This score factored in knowledge of road rules, attitude towards cyclists, levels of frustration with cyclists, and the self-reported distance left when overtaking a bicycle. Mazda owners were revealed as being highly frustrated by cyclists. They show poor attitude towards them, with many reporting that they leave less than the prescribed 1.5 metre gap when overtaking. Other car brands cyclists may need to watch out for include owners of German manufacturers Mercedes, BMW and Audi. The study found drivers of these cars lacking knowledge of key car and cyclist road rules. Suzuki drivers, however, are a cyclist's best friend. They are best at leaving the correct overtaking space, along with the best knowledge of the road rules and have a more positive attitude towards cyclists than many others. ALSO READ: Mazda CX-60 Takumi's superb diesel engine steals the show Cyclists have right to use road too 'Cyclists often frustrate drivers in slowing them down. They also have pressure from drivers behind them. However, all drivers need to remember that cyclists have the right to use the road as much as car owners, and that a small inconvenience timewise, is much better than causing a crash or creating danger to other road users out of frustration,' said Matt Clamp, customer service manager at Scrap Car Comparison. ALSO READ: New chapter: PHEV and EVs in Mazda plans for South Africa 'This of course works both ways and the onus is also on cyclists to ensure they are visible and always signal to let drivers know where they are going. This way, and by both parties being understanding of the rules of the road, we would hope that tensions ease and both parties can adopt more safe driving practices. 'We hope the results of our findings help to shine a light on the need for this.'
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The common driving habit that indicates you're a NARCISSIST
From regularly looking in the mirror to constantly craving attention, there are several key signs that someone might be a narcissist. But if you really want to know the truth, you should look at their driving habits. The team at Scrap Car Comparison asked 2,000 motorists to take a narcissim test - and the results were eye-opening. From the results, the researchers were able to calculate an average narcissism score for different groups of drivers, categorised by vehicle brand, fuel type, location and customisation of the car you drive. According to their analysis, BMW drivers show the most narcissistic tendencies. Meanwhile, people who opted for personalised licence plates were also more likely to score highly for narcissism. 'Driving is always something that should be approached with a level head, in a calm and logical manner, without egos coming into play,' said Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager at Scrap Car Comparison. 'No-one is better than anyone else on the road and thinking otherwise could result in poor decision making which puts both the driver and others in danger.' For the survey, the team asked 2,000 drivers about their nearest, city, the brand of car they drive, the fuel type, and whether or not they owned a personalised number plate. Each driver also completed a narcissism test, which scored them out of 40. The results revealed that BMW drivers scored most highly, with an average narcissism score of 14.4. Mercedes and Honda drivers followed closely behind with average scores of 12.3 and 12, repectively. In contrast, Volvo drivers scored the lowest (7.1), followed by Skoda drivers (7.44) and Renault drivers (7.6). 'With the test being scored out of a possible 40, drivers of all brands scored less than 50%, meaning that there's ultimately no "high-risk" brand when compared to another,' Mr Clamp said. When it came to fuel types, electric vehicle drivers scored the most highly (14.2), followed by petrol (10.2) and hybrid (10.2) drivers. With an average score of 9.8, diesel drivers were the least likely to be narcissists. Breaking the results down by region, London came in first place as the city with the most narcissistic drivers (12.1). This was followed by Edinburgh (11.3), Birmingham (10.8), and Leeds (10.8). At the other end of the scale, drivers in Plymouth were the least narcissitic (8.2), followed by drivers in Liverpool (8.6), and Cardiff (8.6). Finally, the research uncovered a link between having a personalised licence plate and narcissism. Drivers who owned a personalised licence plate scored 15.2 on average, compared to 8.9 for those who didn't own one. 'When on the road, everyone should be treated as an equal, and we should avoid making emotionally driven decisions that can create risky situations,' Mr Clamp added. People who doubt the moon landings are more likely to be selfish and attention-seeking, according to a 2015 study. Over the course of three online-based studies, researchers at the University of Kent showed strong links between the belief in conspiracy theories and negative psychological traits. Writing in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, the team explained: 'Previous research linked the endorsement of conspiracy theories to low self-esteem.' In the first study, a total of 202 participants completed questionnaires on conspiracy beliefs, asking how strongly they agreed with specific statements, such as whether governments carried out acts of terrorism on their own soil. Alongside this, they were asked to complete a narcissist scale and a self-esteem assessment. The results showed that those people who rated highly on the narcissism scale and who had low self-esteem were more likely to be conspiracy believers.
