EditorYnysforgan Roundabout named one of the UK’s most stressful junctions
A new study has revealed the most stressful road junctions for drivers, both in the UK and around the world – with Ynysforgan Roundabout in Swansea ranking among the top 10 in the UK and the top 20 worldwide!
The study surveyed 1,000 UK drivers and asked them to rank road layouts based on the feelings of confusion, anxiety, fear and confidence that they felt after seeing images of the junctions from both a satellite and street view perspective. These responses were then used to build a unique ‘Stress Score’ out of 100 and reveal the road layouts that most drivers would rather avoid.
The UK’s Most Stressful Junctions Revealed
Among UK road layouts, London’s Hanger Lane Gyratory was rated the most stressful to navigate. One of the most complex and infamous junctions in the nation’s capital, the confusing layout, high accident rate and bottleneck for traffic make it one that many drivers would much rather avoid.
The infamous Magic Roundabout in Swindon followed closely behind in second position, with a stress score of 42 out of 100. A multi-mini roundabout system, the roundabout is made up of five mini roundabouts arranged in a circle around a central island. Though the mini roundabouts are all driven in a standard clockwise movement, it is possible to navigate the central island in an anticlockwise direction.
Rank Junction Location Stress Score (/100) 1 Hanger Lane Gyratory London 44 2 Magic Roundabout Swindon 42 3 Cromer Road & Boundary Road Junction Norwich 40 4 The Crooked Billet Interchange Waltham Forest 38 5 Ynysforgan Roundabout Swansea 38 6 Black Cat Roundabout Bedfordshire 38 7 Larne Road Roundabout Ballymena 36 8 Shalesmoor & Netherthorpe Road Roundabout Sheffield 36 9 Springwell Road & Queen Alexandra Road Junction Sunderland 35 10 Sheriffhall Roundabout Edinburgh 35The World’s Most Stressful Junctions for Drivers
Meskel Square Roundabout in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa is the junction that evokes the most stressed response among drivers, scoring 56 out of 100. Meskel Square is a major public space in the city but also connects some of the most major roads in the city, making it one of the busiest junctions too. Though it appears chaotic thanks to the lack of road markings, it’s reported to be a surprisingly functional junction, with drivers relying on intuition, eye contact and horn beeping as well as a healthy dose of mutual understanding. However, for any British drivers who are very used to traffic lights and road markings, it’s easy to see why it would be intimidating at a first look!
The Judge Harry Prengerson Roundabout in Los Angeles places in second spot, scoring 51 out of a possible 100 overall, just five points behind first place. With eight major traffic levels in a stacked multi-level formation that stands at more than 40 metres high, it’s quite the junction! It’s one of the few interchanges in the U.S. that offers full directional access, meaning that traffic entering in all directions, can also leave in all directions. Due to its size and layout, it can be quite nerve wracking for drivers to navigate, resulting in the high stress score.
Paris’ Arc de Triomphe roundabout follows in third, also scoring 51 on the Stress Score. Officially called the Place Charles de Gaulle, the roundabout is without doubt one of the most famous, and notorious, in the world. Found at the northwestern end of the Champs-Élysées, 12 major avenues all meet at this point, and similar to the Meskel Square roundabout, there are no road markings to allow vehicles to freely navigate their way through. To make matters more confusing, priority is given to the cars entering the roundabout rather than those already on it – the reverse of what we’re usually taught!
The Newark Airport Interchange in Newark, USA places in fourth spot, with Place de la Bastille Roundabout in Paris also making the top five with a score of 48.
Overall, European junctions make up half of the top 10, with three North American junctions also placing in the top flight. Japan’s iconic Shibuya Crossing places top for Asia, though in reality, it may be easier for drivers to navigate than expected, thanks to the 90-second window that allows traffic to flow, before the strict pedestrian-only phase.
RankJunctionLocationCountryStress Score (/100)1Meskel Square RoundaboutAddis AbabaEthiopia562Judge Harry Pregerson InterchangeLos AngelesUSA513Arc de Triomphe RoundaboutParisFrance514Newark Airport InterchangeNewarkUSA485Place de la Bastille RoundaboutParisFrance486Shibuya Crossing IntersectionTokyoJapan477Piazza Venezia RoundaboutRomeItaly458Plaza de Cibeles RoundaboutMadridSpain459I-5/I-8 InterchangeSan DiegoUSA4510Hanger Lane GyratoryLondonEngland, UK4411Magic RoundaboutSwindonEngland, UK4212Five Points IntersectionRaleighUSA4013Cromer Road & Boundary Road JunctionNorwichEngland, UK4014Central Motorway Junction (Spaghetti Junction)AucklandNew Zealand4015Eastlink & Monash Freeway IntersectionMelbourneAustralia3916Ynysforgan RoundaboutSwanseaWales, UK3816The Crooked Billet InterchangeWaltham ForestEngland, UK3818Black Cat RoundaboutBedfordshireEngland, UK3819City Center Drive & Carmel Drive JunctionCarmelUSA3620Larne Road RoundaboutBallymenaNorthern Ireland, UK3621Shalesmoor & Netherthorpe Road RoundaboutSheffieldEngland, UK3622Springwell Road & Queen Alexandra Road JunctionSunderlandEngland, UK3523Victoria / Edgeware Road intersectionSydneyAustralia3524Sheriffhall RoundaboutEdinburghScotland, UK3525Merriman Road & Bosman Road IntersectionStellenboschSouth Africa33Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager at Scrap Car Comparison, commented: “Driving through unfamiliar junctions can rattle even the most experienced motorists. Junctions often combine high traffic volumes, poor signage and confusing layouts, making preparation essential.
“Our advice? Start by planning ahead, tools such as Street View or route planners can help you visualise the road before you set off. Once you’re behind the wheel, try to get into the correct lane early by watching for signs and markings. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a breath and don’t let other road users rush you – it’s perfectly okay to go at your own pace.
“Always signal clearly and confidently to show your intentions, especially if you need to change lanes. And if you’re really nervous, consider driving at quieter times of day when the roads are less busy. A little preparation can go a long way in turning a potentially stressful drive into a safe and confident journey.”
