A recent study by DiscoverCars.com has identified Oslo, Norway, as the most stressful city for driving. The research, which analyzed drivers’ heart rates in various cities, aimed to pinpoint the factors contributing to driver stress. Aleksandrs Buraks, Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com, explained the motivation behind the study.
“We wanted to identify the most taxing urban areas for drivers and express our gratitude to all study participants,” said Buraks.
According to the study, Oslo, Norway, was rated the most stressful city for drivers, with a Stress Rating of 37.5. Dr. Adedeji Saheed, a medical doctor who contributed to the research, noted that drivers in Oslo exhibited higher resting heart rates, indicating elevated stress levels. The city’s narrow streets were cited as a contributing factor. To avoid intense traffic during peak hours in Oslo, it’s important to plan carefully, particularly on main routes like Ring 3, E18, E6, and RV4. Avoiding downtown and large shopping center areas during these times can help reduce delays.
Staying updated with live traffic information is crucial due to the unpredictable nature of traffic flow. Regular traffic jams during peak hours are often exacerbated by aggressive driving, leading to collisions, especially in the fast lane.
Traffic is particularly heavy during morning and evening rush hours, from 3pm to 5pm, with Fridays experiencing more congestion on exit routes like E6 and E18.
It’s advisable to avoid certain streets, such as Ullevållsveien and Trondheimsveien, and busy junctions like Carl Berners Plass, Sinsen, and Majorstuen, especially those leading to the E18.
During heavy traffic periods, highway patrol often prioritizes main highways and may block access to side roads to ease congestion and reduce accident risks.
It is advisable to use major highways and bypasses, and consider alternative routes like those used by local buses, especially in the suburbs, to reduce travel time and avoid traffic jams. Strategically choosing routes based on live traffic updates and knowledge of traffic control measures is essential for efficient travel through Oslo’s busy streets.
Following Oslo, Lisbon, Portugal, had a Stress Rating of 36. Lisbon’s complex road layout, with narrow, curvy streets, contributed to drivers’ stress, as indicated by higher heart rates. Milan, Italy, was third with a Stress Rating of 30. While heart rates were generally normal, they spiked during stressful driving moments.
London, UK, and Budapest, Hungary, had Stress Ratings of 29.5 and 25.5, respectively. Traffic congestion in London and parking issues in Budapest contributed to driver stress.
The list was rounded out by Munich, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic; Barcelona, Spain; and Krakow, Poland.
Munich and Prague had lower stress ratings due to their well-maintained roads and moderate traffic. Barcelona and Krakow were the least stressful, with Krakow having the lowest Stress Rating of 9.5, attributed to Poland’s investment in road infrastructure.
DiscoverCars.com also suggested ways to reduce driving stress, such as listening to calming music, taking regular breaks on long drives, and allowing plenty of time for the journey.