MOTHERS-IN-LAW DRIVING US TO DISTRACTION
- A quarter (26 per cent) of mothers-in-law drive us to distraction in the car
- More than one in ten (11 per cent) drivers have been criticised in their car by their mother-in-law
- Over one in ten (11 per cent) mothers-in-law refuse to be driven by their child’s partner
- Despite all this, more than a third (36 per cent) of drivers let their mother-in-law sit in the front passenger seat when they drive
The research suggests that tensions can run high when a mother-in-law is in the car with just over one in ten (11 per cent) drivers reporting that they have been personally criticised by their mother-in-law whilst at the wheel. Tensions can run high, as more than one in ten (11 per cent) mothers-in-law refuse to be driven by their child’s partner and a further ten per cent have even experienced their mother-in-law demanding to switch places so they could take over and drive.
It seems that mothers-in-law feel they have licence to criticise their son or daughter-in-law’s driving with over a fifth (23 per cent) reporting that their mother-in-law had commented on their driving being too fast. When in the car, they also take the opportunity to vent their feelings about their family. Drivers have had to sit through criticism of their father-in-law (20 per cent) and even their own partner (15 per cent).
Table one: Drivers report in car issues with their in mother-in-law
Issue |
Percentage |
Distracted while driving |
26% |
Said they were driving too fast |
23% |
Complained about their partner |
20% |
Complained about their offspring the driver is married to /dating |
15% |
Criticised overtaking technique |
11% |
Criticised them personally |
11% |
Requested she take over and drive |
10% |
Source: Direct Line Car Insurance 2016
All this is in spite of the fact that, according to the research, 36 per cent of drivers who travel with their mother-in-law let them occupy the front passenger seat when they drive. One in six (17 per cent) drivers has their mother-in-law sitting in the front because she insists on it, or their partner insists their mother has the passenger seat.
The in-car criticism comes despite the fact millions of drivers go out of their way to help their mother-in-law by acting as a chauffeur. More than a third (35 per cent) of drivers who travel with their mother-in-law have driven ‘round to help out and more than a quarter (26 per cent) have driven out of their way just to please her. Even when public transport (21 per cent) is easily accessible, conscientious drivers are playing chauffeur for their in-laws.
Table two: What drivers do to please their mother-in-law
What they have done to try and please their mother-in-law |
Percentage |
Driven her somewhere because you want to help her |
35% |
Driven her somewhere that was ‘out of your way’ |
26% |
Driven her somewhere that she could easily have accessed via public transportation |
21% |
Changed the car temperature based on her preference |
18% |
Driven her somewhere that was a walkable distance |
17% |
Driven her somewhere to appease your partner |
16% |
Taken time off work to take her somewhere |
14% |
Changed the radio station based on her preference |
13% |
Source: Direct Line Car Insurance 2016
Rob Miles, director of motor at Direct Line, commented: “Mother-in-law politics are well-known and the source of many jokes, but when combined with in-car politics, could lead to driver distraction. Our advice to drivers who are struggling to concentrate would be to find a safe place to stop or to continue the conversation at the end of the journey.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- There may be many things that mothers-in-law know best about, but it appears that how to be a conscientious car passenger is not one of them. New research from Direct Line Car Insurance reveals that over a quarter (26 per cent) of drivers have been distracted by their mothers-in-law while driving.
- Research was conducted by Opinium amongst a representative sample of 2,005 UK adults between 24th-28th June 2016.
For further information, please contact:
Chloe French
PR Manager
Direct Line Group
Tel: 01651 831 715
Email: [email protected]
Direct Line
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