Arguments Cause 1/3 of Minor Motoring Accidents

Tuesday, Jun 30,2009, 12:25:58 PM Click:

Arguments in the car contribute to thousands of minor motoring accidents each year, according to Swinton, the UK's leading high street insurance retailer.

A survey of 2,000 Swinton customers found that '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

The highest number of 'carguments' occurred between married couples (84%), with those aged between 25 and 35 being the worst offenders. Elderly couples accounted for the least amount of rows with the over 65s involved in just 5%.

The highest prevalence of 'carguments' 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."

For more information contact Michael Travers or Anoushka Foster at Manchester PR agency SKV Communications on 0161 838 7770.

About Swinton

- With 580 branches nationwide Swinton is the UK's largest high street insurance retailer

- Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the community

- Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike and even classic car insurance

- With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates

Contacts: Phil MacKechnie +44 (0) 792 170 0044

SOURCE: Swinton Insurance