Passengers are driving those behind the wheel around the bend to such an extent that many motorists would rather travel alone, research reveals.
We’ve all had the annoying back seat driver at some point or another – but it would seem that drivers prefer their own company, choosing to avoid the backseat passengers, know-it-alls, road ragers, fidgeters, drones and snorers that seem to populate so many of our cars.
The research, by Continental Tyres, discovered that the average driver gets annoyed at least three times by their passengers’ behaviour during the typical journey. The researchers found it took just six minutes for the driver’s blood to boil. On occasion, the research found, tempers have flared to such an extent that as many as one in five drivers has asked a passenger to get out of the car.
The ‘Backseat Driver’ is easily the most unpopular passenger (25pc) in the eyes of the driver. Drunken friends, partners and mothers were also named as being among the worst with whom to share a journey.
Other dreaded journey companions include:
- ‘The Sleeper’ — Nods off within minutes, snores, and only wakes up when they arrive at their destination.
- ‘The Road Rager’ — Embarrasses the driver with their fiery temper, cursing and swearing at other drivers and making rude hand gestures.
- ‘The Leaker’ — Needs the toilet every 20 minutes and requires a service station break.
- ‘The Know-It-All’ — Keeps correcting the radio, or the sat nav, or the driver.
- ‘The Drone’ — Incessantly chats about everything that the driver finds boring.
- ‘The Airhead’ — Insists on the windows being kept down, the air conditioning being kept on, and their head stuck out to ‘get a bit of fresh air’.
- ‘The Crooner’ — Can’t sing but belts out every song they recognise on the radio.
Continental safety expert Tim Bailey said: “Driving is the time we need to be most alert, so a distraction such as an annoying passenger is likely to mean a driver losing concentration.”
Source: Irish Independent
