From time to time, British publications feature stories or statistics about drivers from different cities. For instance, the habits of Mancunian drivers, legendary for giving their passengers a rough ride, are well-documented. But what about drivers in Liverpool? What are their defining traits, characteristics, and reputation? Let’s take a journey—or rather, an investigation—with liverpool1.one.
What Are Liverpool’s Drivers Really Like? New Cameras Capture the City’s Driving Habits
Liverpudlians are used to a fast-paced life, a trait clearly reflected in their driving style. In January 2024, it was reported that a new phase of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras was being rolled out across the city’s roads. While the goal was to improve safety, the cameras also provided a revealing look at driver behaviour. As it turns out, many aren’t in a hurry to follow the rules.
In the first 24 hours of operation, the new cameras on Lime Street and Ranelagh Place recorded 1,400 offences. Over two months, this figure rose to 8,500 penalty charge notices. This raises questions about the nature of local drivers: are they rushed, prone to risk-taking, or simply unaccustomed to the new regulations?
The changes to traffic management particularly affected yellow box junctions and restricted movement zones. Drivers breaking the rules in these areas initially received only warning letters, but these were soon followed by £70 fines. The local council insists the primary aim is not to penalise but to encourage responsible driving. However, many drivers were outraged, claiming it’s just a money-making scheme.
Driver Training Courses in Liverpool: Why Were They Needed and What Were the Results?
According to transport experts, Liverpool drivers have very diverse driving styles. Some pay close attention to changes, while others are slow to adapt and tend to prioritise their own journey, especially when in a rush. With a significant number of violations and misunderstandings on the roads, training courses for local drivers were introduced in 2017. These helped to reduce complaints and boost passenger numbers and satisfaction with bus services in the Liverpool area.
Like other regions, Merseyside faces issues with speeding, running red lights, and blocking junctions during rush hour. The city council is confident that the new enforcement system and educational measures will improve the situation. Specialised training for the city’s bus drivers has also helped to cut down on complaints. Statistics from major competitors Stagecoach and Arriva show a 17–20% reduction in passenger complaints.
Merseytravel, Arriva, and Stagecoach jointly developed a bespoke training course with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. A key focus was making the transport system more friendly for people with autism and dementia. Drivers and transport staff received special training to understand the specific needs of passengers with these conditions. This suggests there was a clear issue, but also that concrete steps have been taken to address it.
The city council believes Liverpool drivers generally have a good reputation and are friendly towards passengers. It acknowledges some problems but stresses that they are gradually being resolved.
A Portrait of Liverpool Drivers, According to Public Reviews
Often, the most accurate picture of Liverpool’s driving style comes not from the mayor’s speeches or media statistics, but from forums and comments by ordinary people—in this case, mainly passengers or fellow drivers from other cities.
It’s true that these forums are often fuelled by dissatisfaction; those who are perfectly happy rarely post. However, you can sometimes find genuinely objective and balanced views based on real experiences. Let’s highlight a few key points.
An Aggressive but Predictable Driving Style
Liverpool drivers dislike it when someone stops suddenly before merging into traffic. It’s seen as a dangerous manoeuvre that could cause an accident. Many advise against stopping, recommending instead that you use your indicator and merge confidently. Some drivers even admit to overtaking ‘stoppers’ on the hard shoulder or across hatched markings.
However, when it comes to customer service, Liverpool’s professional drivers are often described as very polite. That said, it can be very difficult to get a taxi mid-week. As for bus drivers, they are said to be wary of large groups of schoolchildren. They might not let everyone on or may even drive past a stop if it’s crowded with secondary school students.
Here’s what Russian-speaking residents of the city have to say:
Mutual Understanding Between Drivers
Drivers generally understand the difficulties of the local road layouts and will usually let people merge into traffic. A common technique is to ‘edge out and wait’, anticipating that someone will eventually make space for you to pull in.
A Humorous Approach to Problems
Liverpudlians don’t lose their sense of humour. For example, one commenter refers to a local junction as the “Ben Hur Chariot race roundabout”—a nod to the chaotic race scene in the classic film. Perhaps it’s an interesting location for the next film shot in Liverpool. Another driver laughs about a different experience: he once got so confused that he drove the wrong way down a road, only to be completely ignored by the police.
Driving in Liverpool can be described as fast, tense, and aggressive, especially at complex junctions. The city’s drivers are accustomed to a certain level of chaos but generally act in a logical and cohesive way.