Complaining, blocking the mirrors and reaching for an invisible brake are among the most frustrating car passenger behaviours. A study of 2,000 drivers revealed throwing wrappers around the car and fiddling with the radio were other top 20 pet peeves when driving people from A to B.
This is along with watching loud videos on their phone, popping their feet on the dashboard and shouting out warnings about cars pulling out in front to make sure they have seen them. As a result, 43% of couples admitted their car trips regularly end in arguments, with 19% not speaking for a period of time.
Seven in ten men think they’re a good passenger, despite women disagreeing.
According to the study, 17% of women would consider their partner an annoying passenger. This could be done to the fact six in ten men often prefer to take the driver’s seat in a relationship, with 45% thinking they are a better driver than their partner.
A fifth of men say they drive as part of their agreed-upon couple ‘chore split’, however, almost half admit they like to be in control, and another 15% don't like when their partner drives.
Marc Pell, managing director for Tempcover, a temporary insurance provider which commissioned the research said: “There’s never been formal guidance on how to be a good passenger, and that can lead to real tension, especially between couples.”
The company is now taking bookings for the world’s first Passenger lessons from PSM Driving School. “We’re hoping some passenger lessons will help people rethink their passenger habits and improve the in-car dynamic,” he added.
“Our research shows that in many relationships, men do most of the driving but this is a way to flip the usual driving roles - letting a partner take the wheel so they can learn to be a princely co-pilot, letting go and discovering the joy of being chauffeured.”
To help people become more considerate passengers, Tempcover has launched a ‘Passenger Prince’ online theory test.
Other passenger frustrations revealed by the poll included having loud phone conversations (31%) and being inaccurate with directions (25%). A quarter have to bite their tongue when passengers actively touch the steering wheel, or other car parts.
wo thirds of women find backseat drivers patronising and the study revealed that the impact of having a bad passenger can make 42% of women feel on edge, while 19% said it gives them anxiety about getting behind the wheel again.
Paul Middleton, owner and driving instructor at PSM Driving School, said: "Poor passenger etiquette can really knock a driver’s confidence - especially in relationships.
“From backseat driving to constant complaints, it’s often the little habits that make journeys more stressful than they need to be.
“We’re excited to offer lessons from our professional driving instructors, helping people unlearn unhelpful behaviours and become passengers who support, not stress out the person behind the wheel.”