If you do the maths, South Africans spend more than 16 days a year commuting, according to a study conducted by the University of Cape Town¹. That’s over two weeks of our lives stuck in traffic, rushing to school drop-offs, or inching towards the office. With that much time on the road, it’s no wonder our cars have quietly transformed into more than just a way of getting from A to B. They’re private stages, snack havens, and sometimes, the backdrop to life’s most unexpected moments.
As part of AutoTrader’s ‘Find Your Happy Place’ campaign, AutoTrader surveyed 3,483 local drivers to find out what really happens behind the wheel, and the results are as amusing as they are surprising.
1. Talking to yourself is the norm
Don’t feel alone, nearly half of all drivers (48.44%) admitted to holding full-blown conversations with themselves while driving. This habit is more prevalent among women (55.34%) than among men (45.92%). The car often becomes a private sanctuary for processing life out loud.
2. Karaoke happens in the car
Then there’s the soundtrack of our commutes. A third of drivers (34.77%) said they belt out songs on the road, and women once again top the charts here, with almost half (49.08%) treating their cars like a concert stage. For men, it’s a little lower at 30%, but still, South Africa’s highways might just be the biggest karaoke bars in the country.
3. The glove compartment is the snack cupboard
It seems that driving works up an appetite. More than a quarter (27.76%) of respondents admitted to snacking in their cars, often in secret, away from family. Women again lead this guilty pleasure (35.49%) versus men (24.97%). Forget the kitchen pantry, it seems the glove compartment is the nation’s real snack cupboard.
4. Car naps are a thing
Some even turn their cars into makeshift nap stations. 12.60% of all respondents admitted to dozing off in their vehicles in the past month. This habit is slightly more prevalent among men, at 13.68%, than women, at 9.49%. Given how long our commutes are, it’s hardly surprising that some drivers feel the need to catch 40 winks behind the wheel when they can.
5. Mobile makeup stations and major life events
And then there are the more unusual confessions. Around 4% of drivers (3.82%) reported applying makeup in traffic. In rare but unforgettable cases, 47 people revealed they had given birth in their cars, highlighting how cars aren’t just transport. Sometimes, they become the stage for some of life’s most profound events.
Still, not everyone treats their car as a second home, with almost a quarter of respondents (23.11%) claiming they do none of the above. For this disciplined bunch, their cars are purely functional: key in, drive, park, done.
“For millions of people, the car isn’t just a tool. It’s a private space where they live parts of their lives that often go unseen,” commented George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “It’s a haven, a personal bubble, an extension of who they are. Whether it’s singing off-key, indulging in a secret snack, or even welcoming a new life into the world, cars carry countless stories that reveal how deeply we connect with them.”
