Motorists blame in-car temperature for in-car domestic

Some 6.7 million (20%) British motorists had a heated row with their partner while driving in the last 12 months, according to research from Kwik-Fit. And with 8% of motorists claiming a warm car interior as the catalyst for such arguments, Kwik-Fit fears the overall number could rise further as the country swelters in the current bout of summer weather.

Yet, motorists should take note, it is not just their relationships at risk from bickering, as 2% of all road accidents are caused by in-car distractions.

There is nothing new in many reasons for arguments with disagreements over driving technique (43%), choice of music or radio station (11%), and grumbles over traffic jams (10%) featuring highly. And while, many clashes are inevitable, others are easily avoided.

For instance, a staggering 42% cited poor map reading and wrong turns as an issue, something a SatNav would instantly solve. Plus, the 8% of motorists blaming an uncomfortably warm interior for kick starting an argument could literally cool things down by having their air-conditioning unit recharged.

Indeed, most manufacturers recommend that – in order to cool the car efficiently – air conditioning units should be recharged every two years, yet Kwik-Fit research also found that up to 70% of in-car air con units have exceeded this and are now due for a recharge. So with a scorching summer predicted temperature tantrums could be about to escalate.

David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit, commented: “As the mercury rises this summer motorists could find themselves getting extremely hot under the collar. Especially since our research indicates that many motorists who’ve never recharged their air con unit might find it lets them down – just when they need to cool down a situation!”