Greece is among the 25 scariest places in the world for drivers, according to a new study by UK-based Scrap Car Comparison magazine.
The magazine surveyed 2,000 motorists from 10 different countries: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Italy, and Spain. Participants were asked to rate on a scale of 1-10 (1 being not very nervous at all, 10 being extremely nervous) how nervous they would feel to drive in a selection of 49 of the world’s most visited countries.
Drivers in Greece face “chaotic traffic conditions”
Turkey, Hungary, Greece and Italy were the four European countries that make overseas drivers the most nervous. Greece is ranked at number 23, scoring 5.86, just above Italy which scores 5.83.
“Greece and Italy are notorious for their chaotic traffic conditions and ancient, narrow streets, which can be highly intimidating for visiting motorists,” the study says.
Greece has many narrow, winding roads, especially on islands and in mountainous areas. These roads can be challenging to navigate, particularly for those unfamiliar with the terrain, and often lack safety barriers or shoulders.
Also, in rural and less populated areas, road maintenance can be lacking. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and poorly marked lanes can make driving more hazardous, especially at night or in adverse weather conditions.
Related: Greece One of Worst Countries in Europe for Road Safety
India is the worst country for visiting drivers
With an average ‘scare score’ of 7.15 out of a possible 10, India ranks as the country that motorists are most nervous to drive in, followed by Venezuela and Zimbabwe, each with average scores of over 6.9 out of 10.
Countries in Africa and Asia dominate much of the top ten, with Morocco and Thailand making up the top five nerve-racking nations to drive in, and China and Malaysia also ranking as some of the scariest places to drive in, if you’re not a local.
South America’s Venezuela ranks in second place, while Brazil and Colombia rank in 8th and 9th positions as more nerve-racking nations to drive in, while neighboring countries Argentina and Ecuador also rank in the top 20, each with scores of over 6.3 out of 10.
Narrowly missing the top 25, the United Kingdom ranks in 26th spot scoring a moderate 5.71 scare score, likely due to our affection for roundabouts and one-way systems. Meanwhile, widely regarded for its wide range of road trip opportunities, the United States ranks in 33rd spot, with a score of 5.29.
At the other end of the scale as the nation holidaymakers would feel the most confident to drive in is the Netherlands, with a score of 4.41 out of 10. The Netherlands are known for their well-maintained and clearly marked roads, making navigation relatively easy for visitors, the study notes.
Top 25 Scariest Nations To Drive In
1 India 7.15
2 Venezuela 6.97
3 Zimbabwe 6.90
4 Morocco 6.87
5 Thailand 6.86
6 China 6.84
7 Tunisia 6.79
8 Brazil 6.71
9 Colombia 6.71
10 Malaysia 6.70
11 Mexico 6.69
12 Turkey 6.68
13 Vietnam 6.67
14 Chile 6.52
15 Hungary 6.52
16 Argentina 6.48
17 Singapore 6.47
18 Ecuador 6.31
19 Japan 6.27
20 United Arab Emirates 6.12
21 South Africa 6.08
22 Hong Kong 5.97
23 Greece 5.86
24 Italy 5.83
25 New Zealand 5.77
Related: Greeks Are European Champions in Swearing While Driving, Survey Finds
