Motoring survey finds arguments cause a third of minor accidents

Manchester-based Swinton Insurance has found that arguments in the car account for thousands of minor motoring accidents each year.

A survey of 2,000 customers found that arguments, dubbed ‘carguments’, caused 27% of minor bumps and scrapes in UK during 2008 and a further 3% of more serious motoring accidents.

The poll found the top five source of ‘carguments’ to be:

1. Getting lost
2. Backseat driver behaviour
3. Music choice/radio station
4. Relationship issues
5. Temperature/air conditioning

Worst offenders were married couples, with those aged between 25 – 35 the biggest culprits. Elderly couples however do not seem to argue, with the over 65s involved in only 5% of minor bumps.

The highest prevalence of arguments occurred in the city of Liverpool (14%), followed by Glasgow (11%), Nottingham (8%), Watford (6%) and Portsmouth (5%).

Steve Chelton, Insurer Development Manager for Swinton, said: “Concentration is paramount while driving and what seems like a small disruption can have a big impact on a driver’s attention and cause an accident. We’d urge all passengers to be considerate and avoid unnecessary confrontation when in a vehicle.

“We would always advise drivers to pull over if they are being distracted and not to start driving again until safe to do so.”

Author: Richard Lawton, June 29, 2009
Filed under: Fleet news

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