Are you a backseat driver and didn’t know it? The 20 telltale signs that you’re a terrible passenger in a car

Backseat drivers, we all know one. That person you don’t like to have as a passenger in the car, who always thinks they know better or is quick to criticize how you perform behind the wheel.

But have you thought about the fact that you might be one too?

A new survey has revealed 20 telltale signs of a backseat driver, as voted by motorists in Britain.

The big question is: are you guilty of any of the crimes mentioned?

The backseat driver survey was conducted by Webuyanycar, surveying 2,000 motorists to understand the characteristics of terrible passengers.

And it showed More than a third (35 percent) of Brits insist their other half rides in the back seat because they are unable to avoid intervening when on the road.

Motorists were asked about the characteristics they most associate with a horrible passenger in their car, with 20 identified as clear signs of backseat driver behavior.

Making constant gasping noises when the car gets too close to the vehicle in front was the most common sign of bad passenger antics, with 52 percent of the jury voting in favor.

Shouting directions (51 percent) ranked second on the list of actions taken by backseat drivers, while statements such as “Watch out for that cyclist” (48 percent) and constant suggestions about the route to take, such as “I would not have come’. this way” (48 percent) were also considered telltale signs.

Passengers telling the driver to slow down (47 percent) or speed up (34 percent) also proved to be examples of driving the nation’s drivers up the wall.

More than two in five (44 percent) also say they hate it when a passenger continually jumps out of their seat at the slightest braking moment, while 38 percent tell Webuyanycar they can’t stand it when a driver in the back seat jerks dramatically. press down. on an imaginary brake pedal when they want the driver to slow down.

Passengers trying to direct the driver – when not asked – are one of the biggest signs of a backseat driver, according to a recent poll

Richard Evans, head of technical services at the car sales site, said: ‘The research clearly shows that backseat driving is an ever-present challenge for the country’s motorists.

‘Many of us have experienced the frustration of having to drive around with a driver in the backseat – or perhaps the frustration of being one ourselves – and it’s clearly something that can make even the smallest journey stressful.

‘While we may not be able to prevent a backseat driver from adding to the strain on your journey, we can certainly take the stress out of selling your car, with a hassle-free process from quote to sale in under an hour . ‘

Other signs of a backseat driver include complaining about the chosen parking spot (37 percent), constantly telling them to “get into the other lane” (35 percent), leaning over to turn the turn signal on or off (34 per cent). percent), grabbing the steering wheel (31 percent) and shouting insults at other road users on behalf of the driver (29 percent).

The research also shows that a third (34 percent) become angry if a passenger flinches when the car drives too close to a parked vehicle, and more than three in ten (31 percent) are annoyed by someone who leans over and honks.

A third (33 percent) also get annoyed when their partner interrupts them while driving, while 27 percent say it makes them angry.

In fact: two-thirds (63 percent) say a problematic driver in the backseat causes a fight during a trip, with an average of three confrontations per trip.