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Back Seat Drivers - Good For You??

 
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RockitRon



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 7646

PostPosted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:21 pm    Post subject: Back Seat Drivers - Good For You?? Reply with quote

Having a "back seat driver" in the car can result in a more relaxing journey, a new study suggests

As part of a study commissioned by the Department for Transport, 10 drivers - five men and five women - were fitted with heart-rate monitors, head mounted video cameras and sensors to measure brain activity.

They were dispatched on two 30-minute journeys, against rush hour traffic and with a strict deadline. One of the trips was made with a passenger and the other without.

Scientists found that it was the unaccompanied drivers whose heart rate increased fastest at the start of the trip and at the end of the journey those carrying a passenger returned to normal rates faster.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/6043911/Back-seat-drivers-could-be-good-for-you-research-shows.html

This appears to be one of those government surveys designed to encourage us to do something - in this case car-share.

Now I don't drive, so my presence as a passenger probably is a calming influence (she doesn't have to navigate or watch for the speed limit signs for a start). But I do know that having a back-seat driver can raise the blood pressure and temper considerably - my dad was terrible with mum, as was his brother to him, and my wife is as well - just ask my son (No, better not Evil or Very Mad )

So, are you a good or bad influence as a passenger / back seat driver, and what is your reaction as a driver when your passenger starts to give advice?
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SantaFefan



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk

PostPosted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All in all, I reckon I'm a good influence on Mrs SF Laughing because I'll remind her of the speed limit and to cease steering with one hand on the wheel! Evil or Very Mad other than that she's a very good driver... in fact I now prefer her to drive on long trips whilst I navigate.

With the exception of the missus, I generally don't relish driving other people around, particularly on a longish trip, because I'm conscientious of my more relaxed driving style.. I'm rarely in a hurry and don't enjoy speeding or overtaking if I'm honest ( some drivers seem to have no fear or they're just pain crazy!)

I've said before, give me the biggest, bounciest, wood & chrome laden American estate car lazily floating down the road and I'll be happy. ( perhaps I should have been a chauffeur Razz )

Still, 40 years of driving with no accidents or speeding fines must say something? Razz
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Minx



Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4088
Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife

PostPosted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My husband says I drive too fast - but I don't think I do. So that's that then. Laughing

I think he drives too close to the car in front, and no amount of finger waving or sudden braking from the irate car in front will persuade him of this fact.

I am an awful passenger with him, stabbing at imaginary brake pedals, hissing "watch out", bracing myself against the dashboard and once, when he overtook another car at speed with another car hurtling towards us flashing its lights, I burst into tears.

As we drive quite regularly from Boulogne to the south of France and back, we have a lot to er.... discuss. Rolling Eyes
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SantaFefan



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk

PostPosted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My late mum used to do that too... stamp her foot on the floor if a car 3 miles ahead pulled out... drove me mad sometimes.. Laughing In her last few years of driving I would often cringe at how close she would get to parked cars and their wing mirrors! Shocked
I always like to keep a decent gap to the car in front because I've often thought if ever I had a smash - that would be how it would happen, to run into the back of another car.
Of course we all think we are the best driver in town... Wink
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Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy 13/8/07
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MadeinSurrey



Joined: 11 Dec 2006
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Location: The Beautiful South

PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had to laugh at that - my OH is the worst passenger in the world - feet moving all the time as if pedals are there - very distracting Rolling Eyes
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RockitRon



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, and I think if they did a parallel survey of passengers, drivers themselves or not, they might find that their stress and heart rates are somewhat higher than the person doing the driving.
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