The top causes of ‘car-guments’ in 2021…

A study of a selection of UK drivers revealed more than half had a row in the car during the last 12 months with bad driving habits, whose directions to follow, and choice of music also among the top disputes.

While 35 per cent of adults admitted to being backseat drivers. Criticising the driver’s decisions (46 per cent), telling them they should be in another lane (42 per cent) and giving directions without being asked among the top signs you are an interfering passenger.

The stats emerged in Waze’s inaugural ‘Year in Rear View’ study, which looked at the driving habits and trends of 2021. It found that during the last year, 25 per cent of British drivers swore or shouted at another driver, while 23 per cent admitted to speeding up to make it through an amber light.

Ru Roberts, Waze UK Country Manager, said:

“After 18 months of intermittent lockdowns, UK motorists are adjusting to life on the roads and sharing journeys again. This year we spent more time in the car than ever as the country opened up, with daily driven miles increasing by 23 per cent compared to pre-COVID levels.”

But only 14 per cent of drivers would use their horn if someone wasn’t moving ahead of them, compared to the 60 per cent who would wait patiently. Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) have also turned down their music ‘to help them see’ when they are lost or trying to park. And in the year when petrol pumps ran dry, 20 per cent were left driving with a near-empty tank.

As offices and workplaces started to open up, many also went back to commuting, but after getting used to working from home during lockdown, 19 per cent would happily change jobs for a shorter drive to work. In fact, more than one in 10 (13 per cent) would consider moving house and seven per cent would even think about quitting their job to avoid a long commute.

After getting used to the quieter roads during the pandemic, 25 per cent of drivers would give up takeaways and 23 per cent would quit alcohol to guarantee traffic jam-free journeys for a year. Others would be prepared to give up chocolate (17 per cent) and sex (14 per cent), but only six per cent of drivers would give up their phone for a year of no traffic. The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found that on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is very happy, Brits rated their happiness behind the wheel at 7.27.

Ru Roberts, Waze UK Country Manager, said:

“New habits are emerging too – drives for leisure, travel and staycations all increased this year while 55 per cent of UK motorists no longer have a daily commute. Those who can afford to have bought cars this year rather than taking public transport, so we predict we’ll see even more cars on the road during 2022.”

When driving, 48 per cent prefer to take the scenic route, with 21 per cent admitting to going for a drive in 2021 simply to get out of the house. After her much-anticipated return to the charts this year, Adele was named the most-wanted celeb passenger, followed by Lady Gaga, Prince Harry and Britney Spears. While Ed Sheeran’s hit ‘Bad Habits’ was named the song that best sums up driving in 2021, with Adele’s ‘Easy on Me’ coming in a close second.

Additional data related to travel and COVID-19 over the last year can be found at waze.com/covid19.

Biggest Car Arguments of 2021

1.            Backseat driving

2.            When you get lost

3.            The temperature of the car

4.            Bad driving habits such as speeding

5.            Whose directions to follow

6.            What music or radio station to have on

7.            Who chooses the music

8.            Whether to have windows open

9.            Someone making too much noise

10.  Where to stop