Kiwis admit to "backseat driving," raising focus concerns for drivers

Survey reveals differences in behaviour based on gender

Kiwis admit to "backseat driving," raising focus concerns for drivers

Motor & Fleet

By Roxanne Libatique

A recent survey by AA Insurance has shed light on the prevalence and potential risks of backseat driving in New Zealand, with 82% of respondents acknowledging they engage in this behaviour.

Of those, nearly half (45%) admitted to doing so regularly. A third of drivers reported that backseat driving negatively affects their ability to focus on the road.

The term “backseat driving” refers to passenger behaviours such as sudden reactions to a driver’s decisions, unsolicited advice on navigation, or providing feedback on driving.

Passenger behaviours impacting road safety

Beau Paparoa, head of motor claims at AA Insurance, stated that while passengers often mean well, their input can become a source of distraction.

“Many of us have experienced a passenger who believes they’re providing ‘helpful’ advice, or we’re guilty of being an overly enthusiastic backseat driver ourselves,” he said.

The survey also revealed differences in behaviour based on gender. Women were more likely to engage in backseat driving, with 51% admitting to doing so regularly, compared to 39% of men. Similarly, 37% of female drivers said backseat driving negatively impacted their performance behind the wheel, compared to 28% of male drivers.

Advice for passengers

AA Insurance is encouraging passengers to consider how their actions impact drivers, particularly during busy travel periods.

Paparoa noted that drivers face numerous distractions on the road, including other vehicles, road construction, and the temptation to check their phones or change music.

“While there may be times when a backseat driver’s input is welcome or worthwhile – such as spotting hazards or calling out bad behaviours like speeding – overdoing it when the driver is otherwise driving well can become overwhelming and even increase the risk of accidents if a driver becomes distracted by you,” he said.

Road fatalities in New Zealand 

Last year, New Zealand recorded its lowest per-capita road toll in over a century, according to provisional figures released by the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA).

A total of 289 road fatalities were reported, marking the first time in a decade that the annual toll dropped below 300. This equates to 5.4 road deaths per 100,000 people – the lowest rate since the 1920s.

Dylan Thomsen, a road safety spokesperson for the AA, called the decline a historic achievement in road safety.

“We’ve had a historic year overall for less deaths on our roads. Fifty-two fewer New Zealanders were killed this year than last year in a crash and, if you look at the size of our population, it’s the lowest rate of road deaths we’ve seen in a century,” he said.

For historical comparison, Thomsen pointed to data from 1923, when New Zealand’s population was around 1.4 million and 59 road deaths were recorded, translating to roughly 4.5 deaths per 100,000 people. In 2024, New Zealand’s population reached 5.33 million, with a road death rate of 5.4 per 100,000 people.

Related Stories

Keep up with the latest news and events

Join our mailing list, it’s free!