More than one in five Brits believe their partner is a TERRIBLE driver, according to a new study.
New research of the nation’s motorists has revealed the extent to which UK couples literally drive each other round the bend – with the average pair kicking off at each other just 28 minutes into a car journey.
One in ten who took part in the survey said they are most likely to fly off the handle at their nearest and dearest on the way to the supermarket, while one in twenty said visiting the mother-in-law was pretty much guaranteed to end up in an argument, and a handful of those polled even find themselves falling out on the way to a romantic meal together.
Overall, 21 percent of motorists in a relationship claim they HATE the way their other half drives, with 40 percent admitting they have even screamed out in fear due to their partner’s bad driving habits.
According to the data, 69 percent of British couples argue about their partner’s poor driving.
In fact 26 percent of Brits routinely REFUSE to even get in the car with their partner because of their terrible driving habits.
The report showed that men still do the lion’s share of the driving (84 percent) while just 29 percent of women will take the helm on a long journey.
In fact, 74 percent of men say they are better at driving than their partner, compared to just 43 percent of women who say they are far better behind the wheel.
Taking too long to get out of a junction, driving in the wrong gear, parking too far from the kerb and braking too hard were some of the complaints male drivers had about their partners.
But female motorists insisted their other halves drove too fast on country lanes, tailgated other motorists and suffered from uncontrollable bouts of road rage.
The poll of 1,000 motorists by Budget Insurance also found that 26 percent of couples REFUSE to get in the car with their partner because they are so critical of their behaviour on the road.
And when it comes to the journeys that are guaranteed to end in a bust up, travelling on unfamiliar roads, journeys of more than two hours and trips to the supermarket emerged as flash points.
Anna McEntee, Director, Budget Insurance, said: “We all have a different approach to driving, but the main thing is that we remain safe on the road. Arguing about the way someone drives or shouting at them for taking a wrong turn is counterproductive, as it could be a distraction for the person behind the wheel. If you’re driving somewhere unfamiliar, check and plan your route beforehand to avoid getting lost, being late and triggering an argument with your other half.”
Almost seven in ten (68 percent) say they often bite their tongue when their other half makes a driving blunder in a bid to save their blushes – and avoid a confrontation.
However, 13 percent said they have been forced to grab the wheel while their partner is driving to avoid a crash or a bump.
What winds men up about their partner’s driving?
Driving in the wrong gear – 20 percent
Driving too slowly – 20 percent
Lacking confidence to overtake other cars – 20 percent
Taking too long to get out of a junction – 18 percent
Braking too late – 16 percent
Braking too hard – 15 percent
Parking too far from the kerb – 12 percent
Road rage – 12 percent
Breaking the speed limit – 12 percent
Driving aggressively – 10 percent
What winds women up about their partner’s driving?
Road rage – 27 percent
Braking too late – 16 percent
Getting angry with the sat nav – 15 percent
Tailgating – 14 percent
Driving too fast on country lanes – 14 percent
Playing music too loudly – 12 percent
Breaking the speed limit – 12 percent
Driving too fast on motorways – 11 percent
Honking the horn too much – 8 percent
Dangerously overtaking cars – 6 percent