Backseat drivers to blame for more than one million mishaps
Distracting backseat drivers are causing a quarter (24 per cent) of UK motorists to drive dangerously and put lives at risk, new research from Direct Line car insurance suggests.
The research highlights that dangerous lapses in driver concentration due to passenger interruptions have resulted in over one million (1) accidents and near misses amongst UK motorists.
Opinionated passengers are also provoking a vengeful 1.7 million (2) drivers to speed, switch lanes suddenly and brake unnecessarily.
However, six in 10 (60 per cent) backseat drivers genuinely think they are being helpful when they offer instructions and almost a fifth (18 per cent) claim they only speak up because they fear for their own safety.
The most common backseat driver behaviour includes:
· Volunteering unwanted directions (84 per cent)
· Inopportune panicked gasping (69 per cent)
· Constantly checking the speedometer (52 per cent)
According to the Direct Line research it's not just a lack of concentration that drivers suffer from; almost a third (32 per cent) of motorists get stressed and annoyed by the actions of their passengers.
Women prove to be the most easily irritated with nine per cent becoming so irritated and under pressure from backseat criticisms that they pull over and stop the vehicle.
Partners take the blame for being the worst culprits criticising from the backseat, with over half of the nation (51 per cent) branding their other half a 'backseat driver.'
Unsurprisingly, more than half (57 per cent) of all motorists think they are a better driver when they are alone in the car as they are able to give driving their full attention.
Direct Line Motor spokesperson Emma Holyer commented:
"Backseat drivers not only cause unnecessary stress, but are dangerously distracting motorists, which is resulting in road accidents.
"We urge all drivers to focus their minds 100 per cent on driving safely and concentrate on the road ahead rather than on a passenger, and if passengers are being distracting, drivers need to let them know."
Direct Line is the UK's largest private motor insurer with over 3.1 million policyholders. For a competitive quote on motor insurance call Direct Line on 0845 246 8888 or buy online at www.directline.com.
-ends-
Emma Holyer
Direct Line Press Office.
Tel: 0845 878 2182
Email: emma.holyer@directline.com
Notes to editor
The research was carried out by YouGov from January 11th-13th 2005. A total of 2,197 UK adults aged 18 and above were questioned.
1. There are 33.8 million drivers in the UK (Census data, 2001) and according to the YouGov findings four per cent of all motorists have had an accident as a result of a backseat driver. 0.04 x x 33,809,493 = 1,352,380.
2. According to the YouGov poll, five per cent of drivers react to backseat drivers by braking harder, speeding, etc. 33,809,493 (UK driving population, Census 2001) x 0.05 = 1,690,475
Top five signs of a backseat driver
1. Volunteering directions (84 per cent)
2. Gasping from the backseat (69 per cent)
3. Checking the speedometer (52 per cent)
4. Telling the driver to switch their windscreen wipers or lights on (47 per cent)
5. Physically making actions as if they were driving the car (43 per cent)
Regional breakdown
|
Region
|
Motorists who have experienced a backseat driver
|
Motorists who have had their driving affected by backseat driver
|
Motorists who are better drivers alone
|
| UK |
76%
|
24%
|
57%
|
| London |
71%
|
20%
|
54%
|
| South |
77%
|
27%
|
47%
|
| Midlands |
77%
|
29%
|
64%
|
| Wales |
77%
|
29%
|
64%
|
| North |
74%
|
20%
|
62%
|
| Scotland |
80%
|
19%
|
62%
|
Direct Line Insurance plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Calls may be recorded. Conditions apply.
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