Rows over directions cause most in-car arguments

ROWS over routes are the biggest cause of in-car friction, according to an AA/Populus survey.

Two in three people argue in the car, with 18-24 year olds more likely to row than those over 65.

Getting from A to B was the main cause of arguments following by driving too fast, not asking for directions and noisy children.

Based on responses from more than 23,000 AA members, the survey also showed that car occupants argued about shouting at other drivers, the temperature in the car, not agreeing where to eat or what to listen to, and the topic of conversation.

The survey revealed that people in Northern Ireland get hottest under the collar while in the car, with the least-argumentative car occupants being those from south west England.

Disputes about knowing the best route were the top cause of argument for all age groups, with driving too fast being the second-biggest cause for all but 35-44s who were more concerned about noisy children.

AA president Edmund King said: "Long journeys often get fraught at times. The key thing is taking time to prepare well for the journey which should help keep arguments at bay."

These were the top 10 causes of in-car arguments:

1. Knowing the way to go

2. Driving too fast

3. Not asking for directions

4. Noisy children

5. Shouting at other drivers

6. Temperature in the car

7. Not agreeing on where to eat

8. Not agreeing on what to listen to

9. Topic of conversation

10.Driving too slowly

By Peter Woodman, Press Association