The World’s Most Stressful Junctions – and M4 Exit Roundabout in Swansea Named Among UK’s Worst

• A new study from Scrap Car Comparison reveals the junctions around the world that cause the most confusion, anxiety and fear 

• The Meskel Square Roundabout in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is named the world’s most stressful junction with a Stress Score of 56 out of 100  

• Hanger Lane Gyratory in London is crowned the UK’s most confusing junction, followed closely by Swindon’s Magic Roundabout 

A new study from Scrap Car Comparison has revealed the world’s most stressful junctions for drivers.  

 To discover which junctions around the world, cause the most confusion and anxiety among drivers, Scrap Car Comparison surveyed 1,000 UK motorists and asked them to rate road layouts on four metrics: confusion, fear, anxiety, and confidence.  

These responses were used to build a unique ‘Stress Score’ out of 100, revealing the most daunting junctions worldwide, with Meskel Square Roundabout in Ethiopia topping the global list – and Swansea’s Ynysforgan Roundabout making the UK top 5.

The World’s Most Stressful Junctions for Drivers 

 Topping the global leaderboard is the Meskel Square Roundabout in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a Stress Score of 56 out of100. Meskel Square lacks road markings and formal traffic control, relying instead on driver intuition and honking. Despite appearances, it’s functional for locals, but deeply unnerving for outsiders. 

 Close behind is the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange in Los Angeles, a towering 8-level highway structure scoring 51/100.  This score is matched by Paris’ Arc de Triomphe roundabout, known for its 12 converging avenues and reversed right-of-way rules. 

 Europe features heavily in the rankings, with five of the top ten most stressful junctions located across the continent. Paris, Rome, Madrid and London all appear, highlighting how common complex and confusing road layouts are in some of Europe’s busiest cities. 

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.  

Matt 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.” 

For the full findings of the study, visit: https://www.scrapcarcomparison.co.uk/blog/most-confusing-roundabouts/    

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Methodology   

Scrap Car Comparison partnered with Censuswide to survey 1,000 UK drivers. Each driver was shown two images of each junction/roundabout, one from a ‘street view’ perspective, and one satellite image. They were then asked to rate from 1-10 how much each of the four feelings of confusion, fear, anxiety and confidence were evoked at the thought of driving through the junction/roundabout.  

The scores for confusion, fear and anxiety were then combined to create an overall ‘Stress Score’ for each location, with the scores then used to reveal which junctions/roundabouts are perceived to be most stressful for drivers overall.  

Survey conducted in May 2025.