Hungarian drivers are daring, as 65 percent of them are not deterred from getting behind the wheel even in extreme weather conditions. However, those who assess the risks are most afraid of slippery roads, according to a representative survey commissioned by Drivingcamp Hungary. Seventy-three percent of Hungarians have already experienced dangerous driving situations, but 41 percent managed to avert trouble thanks to their acquired driving skills. Women consider preparation for winter driving more important than men.

Drivingcamp's driver training center conducted a representative survey on dangerous driving situations. The research results highlight that just over a quarter of the population has never been in trouble on the roads, with female drivers being the majority of those who have not experienced dangerous situations in traffic. Thirty-nine percent of them marked this option, compared to 21 percent of male drivers.

Seventy-three percent of Hungarians have encountered dangerous driving situations, and 41 percent were able to avoid accidents thanks to their driving skills. Half of the men reported this, compared to nearly a quarter of women. Seventeen percent of the population stated that they managed to avoid accidents regardless of their driving skills, while 12 percent believed the accident was unavoidable. Only three percent said that although they could not prevent the accident, they believed better driving skills might have allowed them to avoid it.

A quarter of Hungarians have never considered canceling a trip due to adverse weather conditions

Extreme weather conditions affect both drivers and passengers. Nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated that they are not concerned about adverse weather. A quarter said they had never considered postponing a trip for such reasons, while a similar 24 percent considered the possibility but ultimately did not cancel their trip. Sixteen percent admitted that although they did not cancel their trip, they later realized that it would have been the right decision. Nearly 20 percent of respondents, however, have repeatedly abandoned their original plans due to weather conditions, while 16 percent have done so only once.

Slippery roads are the scariest; most people have not maneuvered in such conditions

Nearly half of respondents fear slippery roads the most, followed by fog, which was mentioned by just over a quarter. Darkness was the third most concerning weather condition, with ten percent of respondents selecting it. Fear of snowy roads affects eight percent of the population. The proportion of male and female respondents shows that women are more afraid of slippery roads, while men are more concerned about fog.

Forty-three percent of respondents have never practiced maneuvering on slippery or icy roads. Women’s caution is justified, as 57 percent reported this, compared to 35 percent of male drivers. Twenty-three percent of respondents only maneuver on uncertain roads when the opportunity arises. Some people practiced such maneuvers more often as beginners but no longer do so today—nearly a quarter of respondents reported this. Six percent of the population has practiced these maneuvers during training, while five percent indicated that they regularly push their limits on slippery or snowy roads and even seek out such opportunities.

“To drive safely in all weather conditions, we must possess adequate driving skills and know the limits of both ourselves and our vehicle. When an emergency arises, we can only rely on ourselves, so improving our driving knowledge is crucial for safe travel and our own protection. Interested individuals can learn the necessary emergency procedures with the help of our qualified trainers under controlled conditions at our driving technique track,” added László Csörgő, lead trainer at Drivingcamp.

Most people want to learn how to prevent skidding

When asked which driving skills respondents would like to develop, nearly three-quarters said they would like to gain experience in preventing skidding. One-third of the population would practice driving on slippery roads, particularly those aged 60-69, while 16 percent would focus on sudden steering changes. The latter skill is most sought after by drivers aged 20-29. Seven percent would prioritize developing emergency braking skills.

Women prepare more thoroughly for winter driving

Nearly half of respondents believe that both comfort and tools to assist in winter conditions are necessary in the car. Thirty-eight percent responded that during heavy snowfall or icing, it is important to have tools such as a shovel, snow chains, and an ice scraper in the car. Nine percent of respondents said that food, hot drinks, and blankets are essential for winter trips.

Eight percent of the population sees no difference between winter and summer driving. Most of these are men who claim they do not need any additional equipment or comfort items in their car. In contrast, only a small percentage of women agreed with this statement, suggesting that they prefer thorough preparation. This gender difference is also evident in the question of whether both comfort and winter condition tools are necessary in the car. More than half of women agreed with this, compared to only 38 percent of men.

The research was conducted by Opinio market research app on behalf of Drivingcamp Hungary in October 2024, with a sample size of 1,170 people. The results are nationally representative of the Hungarian population aged 16-69 by age, gender, educational attainment, type of settlement, and region.