Do you drive each and every other crazy?

 Arguments in Motion by Guian Bolisay is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

There are few things more exciting than driving off abroad on holiday. But if you go with your partner, make sure you know exactly where you’re headed if you don’t want to break up on your break.

New research from TravelSupermarket, our sister company, reveals that 1.6 million couples have split up while trying to read a map abroad. A further one in 10 has considered relationship counselling after fighting about map-reading when driving abroad.

In fact, it’s navigation-related arguments which put the biggest strain on relationships on holiday, with 33% putting this above money worries or disagreements over where to eat or drink.

According to Sainsbury’s Bank, up to 16% of people are considering driving their car abroad in the next 12 months, so if you’re one of them, make sure you start planning your route long before you leave the country.

Why tempers flare

So what is it about map-reading that gets us so riled?

Even unfolding and folding the wretched things can be enough to make even the most patient of us angry – and that’s before you’ve even looked at where you’re going.

Then there’s all the turning them the right way to help you work out where you’re going and trying to find the road you’re on when it doesn’t seem to exist.

There’s also the gender divide to deal with.

Even though men tend to do most of the driving, 55% of them think they are better at map driving than women. In contrast, only 25% of women think they are better than men.

This might go some way towards explaining why 15% of men say they’ve almost broken up with a partner after a map-reading related argument, compared to just 5% of women.

Blame your smartphone!

Smartphones are the main reason navigation problems cause so many relationship breakdowns when we’re abroad.

While many of us rely on our phones to tell us the way when we’re on British shores, expensive overseas data roaming fees mean that it’s just too costly to use apps like Google Maps or the Ordnance Survey mapping tool to plan your route when you’re on holiday.

Instead, 41% of us are forced to rely on good old traditional paper maps to find the way when were abroad.

But many of us simply aren’t used to handling these, with almost half (48%) of those in their 20s admitting that they aren’t familiar with them, because they usually turn to their smartphones. This is almost 3 times the national average of 17%.

More than a quarter of couple wants to improve their map-reading skills, so TravelSupermarket is teaming up with Ordnance Survey to host a series of work-shops providing advice on navigating roads abroad.

Rob Andrews from Ordnance Survey said: “It’s so unnecessary for map-reading to spark arguments or even panic among drivers. Worse still if people let this hold them back from a holiday of a lifetime. By taking the time to brush-up on their map-reading skills, Brits will be able to enjoy the roads so much more, safe in the knowledge that tensions will not run high.

“The main piece of advice we give motorists is to always carry a paper map with them in their glove box, and this should be no different on holiday. A good quality map will not only help people get from A to B but it can also open up a whole new adventure showing the locations of attractions, beauty spots and bars or cafes off the beaten track.”

The first workshop will take place in Victoria, London from 10am – 12pm on 13^th November.

A map-reading expert from the Ordnance Survey will provide practical advice and tips to help people brush up on their navigating skills.

You can sign up by emailing Map-reading@travelsupermarket.com with your name and contact details.

As well as getting to grips with your map-reading, you should also swot up on the rules of the road in the country you are visiting.

Failure to do so could mean you end up breaking the law without even realising it.

In all European countries, motorists have to carry insurance documents, so make sure you put these in your glove compartment before you go. In France, Italy, Croatia, Italy and Norway, it is compulsory to carry a warning triangle, and in Germany, it is compulsory to drive with winter tyres at certain times of the year.

According to Sainsbury’s Bank, 9% of adults say they will drive in France in the next 12 months, where it is illegal to drive without a breathalyser.

In many European countries, as well as requiring a reflective jacket, first aid kit and headlamp converters for driving at night, you also have to have headlights on in the daytime.

Always let your insurer know if you are taking your car overseas. Although some include European cover as standard, others don’t, and you may need to pay an additional premium.

Do you drive each and every other crazy?