Backseat driving could be damaging driver confidence and concentration.

New research reveals that almost half of motorists have felt stressed, distracted or under pressure because of comments from passengers.

Newly qualified drivers are particularly vulnerable.

Not like that

Findings from MoneySuperMarket research have found that 46% of drivers have experienced some form of distraction caused by a passenger.

More than a quarter said comments from passengers had made them feel stressed or anxious, while 23% said they had become significantly distracted as a result.

The potential safety implications are also concerning.

Some 13% of drivers said a passenger had pressured them into driving in a way they were not comfortable with, while almost one in 10 said comments from a passenger had contributed to a near-miss.

Have you tried this

For new drivers, who are still developing their skills and building experience, the impact of a critical or overly vocal passenger could be even greater.

A novice driver will already be managing a significant mental workload as they process road signs, traffic, speed, positioning and instructions.

Adding a passenger who constantly questions decisions, criticises mistakes or provides unwanted advice could increase stress and reduce their ability to concentrate effectively.

The research found that partners were the most common source of backseat driving, with 29% of respondents identifying their other half.

Children accounted for 22%, followed by parents at 11% and friends at 10%.

Criticism of parking was identified as the most irritating passenger behaviour, cited by 52% of motorists.

This was followed by passengers providing a running commentary about other road users and complaining about the distance between vehicles, both of which were mentioned by 50%.

Driving attitudes

For driving instructors, the findings could provide a useful opportunity to discuss passenger behaviour with learners before they take to the road alone.

The transition from driving lessons to independent driving is a significant step.

Once a learner passes their test, they may suddenly find themselves driving with friends, family members or partners who have very different opinions about how the vehicle should be driven.

A passenger who says “you should have gone there”, “you’re too close” or “why are you going so slowly?” may believe they are being helpful, but their comments can potentially undermine a new driver’s confidence and encourage them to make decisions based on passenger pressure rather than their own assessment of the road.

Encouraging learners to recognise that being a safe driver also means managing distractions and passenger influence is important in enabling young, new drivers to remain safe when they begin to drive unsupervised.

This does not mean ignoring genuine safety concerns, but it does mean understanding that the driver is responsible for making the final decision.

Cool and confident

Passengers need to play a positive role by remaining calm, avoiding unnecessary criticism and allowing the driver to concentrate.

This is particularly important during the first year after passing the driving test, when a new driver is gaining valuable independent experience and gaining personal confidence.

Developing technical driving skills is only part of becoming a safe and confident driver; learning how to manage passengers, distractions and social pressure can also be an important part of becoming a responsible independent motorist.