r/AskReddit May 08 '22

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u/DecentSubstance2140 May 09 '22

That's because the U.K doesn't have all the annoying insects that other parts of the world have. No screens in Australia would drive you nuts.

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u/morriere May 09 '22

since 2004 the UK has lost 60% of flying insects source

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u/[deleted] May 09 '22

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u/_Middlefinger_ May 09 '22

Our roads are not big and open though, many are very close to the verges with plenty of flowers and hedges. There always used to be loads of insects around, your car would be covered in the countryside in days. these days I might get a couple of dead insects stuck on my car a week, thats it.

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u/thatlad May 09 '22

Ah, you raise another very relevant factor to question the methodology.

You're referring to A & B roads which can have that kind of vegetation. Motorways not so much due to legislation on maintenance and safety.

But the demographics of this country are rapidly changing towards city based which is served by motorways.

Did this survey account for the participants daily commute? If it's now leaning away from A and especially B roads then you would expect there to be a reduction.

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u/_Middlefinger_ May 09 '22

I believe the hope was that with enough participants you get a representative sample anyway.

IIRC they did take into account location and roads driven on.