Back-seat driving `rife'
Back-seat driving is rife in Britain according to new research,
leading to millions of motorists having avoidable accidents.
The research, released by insurance comparison website
Confused.com, shows that two thirds (66%) of British motorists have
been`victims' of back-seat drivers, and almost one in four (24%)
have been in an accident whilst dealing with distractions from
other passengers.
These distractions mean that 20% of British motorists will have
to fork out up to £500 over their driving lives to repair
accidental damages `caused' by back-seat drivers.
The most common professions for back seat pests are bus drivers,
train drivers and delivery men. On the other hand, teachers are the
most patient of passengers.
Most motorists confess that they would rather journey with
colleagues than loved ones. Partners are the worst back seat
drivers, with husbands and boyfriends disrupting the driver most
often and 45% of them voicing their traffic-tips several times
during the shortest of journeys.
Particularly bad at knowing when to keep quiet are parents, who
feature second on the list of frequent offenders (28%) when it
comes to interfering from the back seat.
A new back-seat driving etiquette guide from etiquette experts
Debretts, however, offers advice on how to be the perfect passenger
for family and friends.
Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com, said: "It's
never been more important for drivers to keep their costs as low as
possible. Our research shows that having other people in the car
can distract us from the road, and lead to accidents, which in turn
increases the cost of our car insurance policies."
Debrett's spokesperson, Jo Bryant, added: "If you're a passenger
in someone else's car your behaviour must be polite at all times,
just as it would be if you were visiting their home. The Etiquette
Guide for Back Seat drivers will ensure that every journey is
courteous and civilised."
Back-seat drivers can find Debretts' advice at:
http://www.confused.com/car-insurance/articles/driving-tips-etiquette-rules-for-back-seat-drivers
But if that doesn't work, visit
http://www.confused.com/car-insurance/articles/comebacks-to-silence-back-seat-drivers for
a selection of witty comebacks to help deal with the frustration of
back-seat badgerers.
01/06/12
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