Bickering couples causing commotion on UK roads

In-car arguments between driver and partner are causing motorists to put their lives at risk, according to research by Direct Line Car Insurance.

Close to three quarters (74 per cent) of UK couples admit to arguing when they are driving, with the majority spending journeys bickering about their other half’s driving ability (71 per cent).

Six in 10 (60 per cent) of these couples admit passenger-quarrels distract their partner from the road-ahead, with a fifth (19 per cent) of motorists saying they lose concentration if involved in a debate and one in eight drivers admit to speeding as a direct consequence of a row.

Figures from the DFT reveal driver distraction or impairment contributes to 15 per cent of all accidents (and 19 per cent of fatal accidents) and excessive speeding plays a part in 12 per cent of crashes*.

However the differences between the sexes are never more obvious when asked about the cause of the rows.  For more than four in 10 (44 per cent) women drivers, arguments in the car begin with their partner generally criticising their driving.  This complaint is borne out by the finding that close to half (45 per cent) of the male drivers that Direct Line spoke to said they believe they are a better motorist than their female counterpart. 

However according to male motorists, they say that their partner’s inability to map read or direct properly – drives them to get involved in a dispute (44 per cent).

Women passengers, on the other hand, say disputes often begin because of their partner’s tendency to speed (19 per cent).

Plus it would seem that experiencing a car breakdown is a major bone of contention for many couples, with close to a fifth (18 per cent) saying they’ve argued in a breakdown situation – blaming their partner for not maintaining their vehicle – and more than four in 10 (42 per cent) saying that the stress of the experience meant they became irritated with each other.

Emma Holyer, Direct Line’s Motor spokesperson said:

“We all have different styles and sometimes as a passenger, particularly with someone you know well, you might feel tempted to point out any little mistakes your driver makes.  But more than a quarter (28 per cent) of the motorists we spoke to said they find any passenger stressful even if they are well behaved – so be careful how you go about offering your opinion on their driving as argumentative passengers not only cause unnecessary stress, but could be distracting which leads to accidents.”