Driven around the bend?

Research confirms myth that men and women are not compatible when it comes to driving – even Gordon Brown can’t get a lift!

It’s fair to say driving with your other half is fraught with danger. Combine this with the stress of the big Easter get away (an estimated 20 million drivers plan to hit the road this weekend), rail strikes and bored children in the back of the car, driving at this time of year is even more of a challenge. A recent survey by sat nav maker NAVIGON has revealed it’s not only traffic and delays that people get annoyed with on the road but whoever is sitting next to them in the passenger seat!

Alarmingly for the current government, only 5% of men and women would share a car with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, with only Borat and Kerry Katona receiving less votes than the Prime Minister. Unsurprisingly five times more men than women would offer their passenger seat to model Katie Price!

Out of all of those surveyed, it was found that when it comes to the ideal travel companion almost 25% of women would rather drive with 80s legend Knight Rider (aka The Hoff!) than their partner, whereas 17% of men opted for love him or hate him Homer Simpson to keep them entertained on a long journey.

Nearly 40% of men and women surveyed said they are more likely to get into an argument in the car more than anywhere else, with 25% of women admitting to arguing with their partners over directions on a regular basis.
For those looking to change their partner’s driving habits, 20% of women would be happier if their other half improved their ability to follow directions, whereas 10% of men would like to improve their partner’s map reading, marking them only 3 out of 10 for this skill.

Women came out as the most nervous drivers, with nearly 20% admitting to avoiding driving altogether, opting to sit back and enjoy their journey without the stress of the drive. On the other hand, 33% of men considered themselves as calm, organised and in control whilst driving despite 70% saying they have been guilty of speeding at one time or another.

Commenting on the research, Peter Blampied, UK Country Manager said “Whilst we can’t promise argument-free travel, NAVIGON can equip people with the best possible navigation technology to make journeys as pain-free as possible, helping people find their way to their destination in the quickest and safest way possible.”

This research by NAVIGON is part of a wider European study examining driver behaviour in the UK and on the continent.