A new study out this week says that there is a genetic variation in people which could be one of the causes of bad driving. The study was limited, involving 29 people of which 22 had the genetic quirk. The participants in the study drove 15 laps on a driving simulator then came back later and did the same test again.

Those with the genetic quirk performed 20% worse on all of the tests.

Obviously this is going to require some more substantial tests but scientists believe that the issue deals with the fact that the quirk limits the availability of a protein which helps with memory and learning. Those with less protein are less able to remember prior learning about how to drive in a given situation.

On the bright side, the gene appears to limit damage to memory when people contract certain memory related diseases.

About 30-35% of the population may have this quirk.