Deflated British Drivers Choose Routine over Romance

As we approach the most romantic day of the year, it appears more of us are interested in being punctual than succeeding in love. According to new research, punctuality is more important than passion for Britons who are eight times more reluctant to miss a business meeting than a first date.

Goodyear surveyed 9,000 drivers across 15 European countries on the events they would most hate to miss due to a flat tyre. The school run (29 per cent), a job interview (12 per cent) and a business meeting (8 per cent) were all considered more important than missing a first date. Just one per cent of Britons are concerned about missing a date because of a flat tyre, whilst less than one in twenty (four per cent) would worry about missing a get-together with family and friends.

British priorities present a stark contrast with those of our European cousins who prioritise social occasions over the mundane. 16 per cent of drivers surveyed in Turkey, feared missing a date over being late for the school run (6 per cent).

The survey by Goodyear also revealed that avoiding dentist appointments (23 per cent), public speaking (22 per cent) and having to spend a weekend with the ‘in-laws’ (14 per cent) were the most popular reasons to use a flat tyre as an excuse.