THE MOST ANNOYING BACKSEAT DRIVERS
Guess who tops the list?

HOT WIRE—Are you about to go on a road trip with your spouse? According to a recent survey, spouses are the most likely to make summer road trip a painful journey. “Probably by commenting on speed and giving unwanted directions,” says Michelle Megna of Insurance.com, who commissioned the survey. Husbands and wives top the list of “the worst backseat drivers,” according to the survey of 500 drivers commissioned by Insurance.com. Among women, 34 percent point to their husbands as the worst passengers, followed by their mothers (18 percent) and friends (15 percent). When men are at the wheel, 40 percent cite their wives as being the worst backseat drivers, followed by friends (17 percent) and mothers (15 percent). Fathers are pegged as the worst passengers by only five percent of drivers. Children -- from young kids to teens to adults – are the least irritating passengers. When results for men and women are combined, children rank fairly low: Adult daughter: seven percent My child, son: five percent My adult son: four percent My teen daughter: three percent My child, daughter: three percent My teen son: three percent “Getting there isn’t always half the fun,” said Insurance.com managing editor Michelle Megna. “Micromanagement from the backseat critics can turn a scenic drive into a battle of wills.” Commenting on driving speed is the most annoying thing passengers do, making it the top offense by an 18-point margin, according to survey results. The top offenses of passengers are: Comments on driving speed: 47 percent Gives directions: 29 percent Talks too much: 19 percent Pushes imaginary “brake” with foot: 15 percent Fiddles with radio or CD player: 10 percent Talks on phone or texts: 7 percent Sings: 6 percent Eats: 3 percent Survey respondents were also able to write in the worst passenger behaviors not listed. Their gripes illustrate the wide range of passenger habits that drivers have to contend with, such as: Makes faces and gestures Screams about something I’m already aware of Tells me to go faster Blocks the rear view mirror Gets car sick Gives incorrect directions Grabs handles Points to turn after we passed it Complains about not braking softly enough Reacts to things I have already seen and taken into account Tells me to turn after it is too late to get over Gives commentary on a video game with gun-firing sounds “Perhaps you can distract them by pointing out the many flaws in the drivers around you,” said Megna. Megna also suggested drivers take a cue from a gracious gentleman who stood apart from the rest. His comment: “My wife has helped me avoid many an accident by paying attention to the road.” Tips for happier road trips Agree on CDs and radio stations before the trip. Opinionated passengers should try sitting in the backseat or deep-breathing techniques. Agree to the length and frequency of stops before the trip. Tell the driver how his or her actions make you feel, as opposed to criticizing. Map out your itinerary ahead of time using a GPS device. Read the full article at insurance.com/auto-insurance/safety/worst-backseat-drivers.html. Methodology Insurance.com commissioned an online-panel survey of 500 drivers age 18 and older. The survey was fielded in February 2013. About Insurance.com Insurance.com is owned and operated by QuinStreet Inc. (NASDAQ: QNST). QuinStreet provides consumers and businesses with information to research, find and select products, services and brands. Twitter: @InsuranceDotCom Facebook: facebook.com/insurancedotcom