Everyday Road Behavior Exposes Hidden Narcissistic Traits: Study Finds
Your Driving Habits Might Reveal Narcissistic Traits, Study Suggests
[Insert image: Driver checking mirror]
Caption: Narcissistic tendencies may show up in driving behaviors, according to new research (Stock Image).
If you want to spot a narcissist, skip the mirror-checking clichés and observe how they drive. A study by Scrap Car Comparison surveyed 2,000 UK motorists and found links between narcissism and driving habits, with BMW owners and personalized license plate drivers scoring highest.
The Experiment
Participants took a narcissism test (scored out of 40) and shared details about their vehicles. The results categorized drivers by car brand, fuel type, location, and license plate customization. BMW drivers topped the list with an average score of 14.4, followed by Mercedes (12.3) and Honda (12) drivers. Volvo drivers ranked lowest (7.1), trailed by Skoda (7.44) and Renault (7.6).
Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager at Scrap Car Comparison, advised: “Driving requires a calm, ego-free mindset. Everyone on the road deserves equal respect to prevent dangerous decisions.”
[Insert image: Personalized license plate]
Caption: Personalized plates correlated with higher narcissism scores (Stock Image).
Fuel Type and Regional Trends
Electric vehicle (EV) drivers scored highest (14.2), outpacing petrol and hybrid drivers (both 10.2). Diesel drivers ranked lowest (9.8). Regionally, Londoners led with 12.1, followed by Edinburgh (11.3), Birmingham, and Leeds (10.8). Plymouth drivers scored lowest (8.2), alongside Liverpool and Cardiff (8.6).
The Personalized Plate Factor
Custom license plates were a red flag. Owners averaged 15.2, nearly double the 8.9 score of non-owners. Clamp emphasized prioritizing safety over vanity: “Emotional decisions on the road put everyone at risk.”
[Insert image: Traffic in London]
Caption: London ranked as the city with the most narcissistic drivers (Stock Image).
Key Takeaways
While no group scored above 50% (20/40), the trends highlight how personality traits can influence driving behavior. Though branding stereotypes aren’t definitive, self-awareness behind the wheel remains critical.
In short: your car choices might say more about you than you think—so check your ego before hitting the gas.
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