According to new research, punctuality is more important than passion for Britons who are eight times more reluctant to miss a business meeting than a first date.

Goodyear surveyed 9,000 drivers across 15 European countries on the events they would most hate to miss due to a flat tyre. The school run (29%), a job interview (12%) and a business meeting (8%) were all considered more important than missing a first date. Just 1% of Britons are concerned about missing a date because of a flat tyre, whilst less than one in twenty (4%) would worry about missing a get-together with family and friends.  

British priorities present a stark contrast with those of our European cousins who prioritise social occasions over the mundane. Some 16% of drivers surveyed in Turkey, feared missing a date over being late for the school run (6%).

The survey by Goodyear also revealed that avoiding dentist appointments (23%), public speaking (22%) and having to spend a weekend with the ‘in-laws’ (14%) were the most popular reasons to use a flat tyre as an excuse.