Music and merriment fuels British drivers

More than 3 in 4 people (78%) in the UK laugh out loud and sing at the top of their voices while driving - even when there is no one in the car to laugh with - according to a survey from Confused.com, the UK insurance price comparison site.

Swansea proved to be the most popular place for singing and laughing while on the road, with 86% of people making merry in their car, compared with their gloomier Aberystwyth countrymen - 61% of whom partake in such driving jollity.

In addition, the Confused.com research found huge disparity between neighbouring regions. Glasgow appears to be a very happy place for drivers with 84% singing in the car, but a journey down the M8 to Edinburgh drives the number down to a modest 68%.

Plymouth came out worst overall with a meagre 65% of people giggling and humming in their car - a far cry from their coastal neighbours Brighton, who totted up a sizeable 84% of drivers crooning and chuckling.

Debra Williams, managing director of Confused.com said: "Laughing and singing in your car is conducive to better driving conditions as it makes for calmer and more rational drivers. Laughter, especially, is linked to the production of endorphins which will help drivers when in difficult driving situations such as traffic jams or bad motorists on the road.

"However, although singing and laughing is beneficial to drivers' happiness, in what can be sometimes stressful situations, it is important to remember that drivers should always keep their attention focused on the road and not on the radio."