Getting the ‘ick’ has become the new way to tell that you’ve been well and truly turned off. The moment when an attraction to a current or potential partner quickly switches to a feeling of disgust – often as the result of a specific behaviour.

Icky insights

A new study conducted by Scrap Car Comparison has revealed that getting behind the wheel after drinking any alcohol is the driving behaviour that is most likely to be an ‘ick’ for potential new partners. Other ick-inducing motoring habits included engine-revving at traffic lights and vaping while driving.

The research, which surveyed more than 2,000 people in the UK, also discovered which car brands, colours and behaviours gave people the ick the most, as well as which driving quirks are considered to actually be a turn-on.

Top ten ‘Icky’ behaviours

In addition to driving after drinking alcohol being crowned the top ick, with almost half of the population (45%) finding it the most off-putting behaviour, any other form of dangerous driving also ranked amongst the biggest driving turn-offs.

Posting selfies on social media while behind the wheel, kissing a car ‘goodnight’ and parking on double yellows are all also surefire ways to kill off a potential romance, according to the study.

Rank Driving ick % of people who would get the ick
1 Driving after drinking any alcohol 45%
2 Dangerous driving 42%
3 Using their phone while driving 38%
4 Driving without a licence or while banned from driving 38%
5 Posting selfies on social media while driving 35%
6 Kissing their car goodnight 33%
7 Smoking or vaping while driving 32%
8 Exhibiting road rage to other drivers 32%
9 Parking on double yellow lines/no park areas, or unwarranted use of disabled and parent & child bays 31%
10 Revving their engine at traffic lights or when stationary 29%

The 10 biggest driving ‘turn-ons’

On the flipside, someone flashing their headlights to say thank you to another road user was revealed as the behaviour that people find most attractive while out on the roads with a current or potential partner, with 15% admitting that they find it a turn on. Although it’s recommended to raise a hand rather than flash headlights to say thanks, it just goes to show that manners can go a long way!

Indicating that those looking for love are more eco-conscious than ever before, the research also revealed that owning an electric car was the second biggest turn-on, with 11% of people considering electric car owners attractive. Maybe a surprise to those who struggle to hold a tune, singing while driving also came out as a turn on for 1 in 10.

Rank Driving turn-ons % of people who consider it a turn-on
1 Flashing their headlights to say thank you 15%
2 Owning an electric car 11%
3 Singing while driving 11%
4 Driving exactly at the speed limit 10%
5 Driving while resting one hand on the passenger’s lap 9%
6 Cleaning their car everyday 9%
7 Driving with both hands constantly on the steering wheel 9%
8 Placing a hand on your passenger headrest to turn around and look out of the rear window while reversing 8%
9 Overtaking slower drivers 8%
10 Owning an automatic car 8%

 

Car brands that crash relationships

Drivers of BMWs in particular may want to approach potential partners with caution, as the brand is named the most ‘icky’ of any on the roads, with almost 1 in 10 finding the brand, that has stereotypes of dangerous and selfish driving, a turn off. Fiat, Skoda and Smart all followed, while Audi, another German manufactuerer stereotypically seen to be favoured by aggressive drivers, also featured in the top 10.

Rank Car brand % of people who would get the ick
1 BMW 8%
2 Fiat 7%
3 Skoda 7%
4 Smart 7%
5 Audi 6%
6 Daewoo 6%
7 Dacia 6%
8 Citroen 6%
9 Kia 6%
10 Nissan 6%

Meanwhile, Mercedes beat out the ultra-luxury of Porsche and Lamborghini to take the crown as the car brand that is the biggest turn-on, with 14% finding a partner with a Merc in their garage more attractive.

Lessons to learn

“The idea of the ‘ick’ is something that’s definitely been widely discussed over the past year or so,” says Dan Gick, Managing Director at Scrap Car Comparison. “It is something that I’m sure many of us can relate to. However, when we look at the top driving icks, it’s interesting to see that the majority of the top icks are behaviours that are more risky, and could put us in danger on the roads. Driving after drinking alcohol, dangerous driving and using a phone while behind the wheel are never worth it, and you could be prosecuted or fined if caught doing these behaviours – so it’s encouraging to see that so many people find dangerous driving habits off-putting in a potential partner.

Likewise, seeing people thanking others as one of the habits that turns people on the most is also very encouraging, as it’s definitely something that’s courteous to do as a driver – although, it’s better to raise a hand rather than flash lights, to avoid any confusion. For us, the main priority is that all drivers are as safe as possible on the roads, and avoid getting involved in any collisions, but hopefully the thought that these behaviours could lose you a potential love interest may give people a bit more motivation to behave well behind the wheel.”

For the full findings click here.