Backseat Drivers Are Optional

You Can Tell the Person Criticizing Your Driving to, "GET OUT OF THE CAR!"

Wikipedia defines a back seat driver as a passenger in a vehicle who is not in control of the vehicle and does not appear to be comfortable with the skills of the current driver. Passengers labeled as backseat drivers appear to feel insecure and do not trust the driver of the vehicle. Since they’re not behind the wheel, they become nervous, exhibiting anxiety, offering suggestions and criticizing the driver.

One famous example of a relentless back seat driver is Hyacinth Bucket on the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, produced by the BBC. Hyacinth supervises her husband Richard’s every move, even reminding him to “mind the pedestrian” who is clearly distanced from their car on the sidewalk.

A comment written in The Bismarck Tribune in December 1921, read as follows: "A back-seat driver is the pest who sits on the rear cushions of a motor car and tells the driver what to do. He issues a lot of instructions, gives a lot of advice, offers no end of criticism and doesn't do a bit of work."

Actually, there seems to be a lot of other work they discover they can do, as exhibited by the epitome of backseat drivers. They hold onto the dashboard or grab the handle located on the car ceiling, just above the door. If a car suddenly cuts you off and pulls in front of your car, then hitting the brakes, the perfect action for the backseat driver to take is to yell, “Whoa!”. In inclement weather, the anxious passenger always reminds the driver of the slick and dangerous road conditions. Of course, your busy-body passenger must always begin to mess with the controls, such as the radio, heat and AC and since they’re not sure of how to operate them, they ask the driver how they work, distracting the driver’s focus. Let’s not forget how helpful it is when the backseat driver calls out that the light has turned green, as if you, the driver, aren’t waiting for the light change.

How many of us have driven with backseat drivers who repeatedly yell, “watch out!” and gasp with their little “oohs” and “ughs”? Many other drivers on the road are completely fed up with those who are distracted while driving and talking on their cell phones simultaneously, however, it’s a great way of shutting out the backseat driver sitting next to you.

Most of my life, I have witnessed my mother nagging my father about his driving. She refuses to drive if the controls are offered to her and she absolutely will not read a map. My new SUV drives, (no pun intended), her crazy, as she reminds me how these vehicles can flip over. Wow, even when you’re going ten miles per hour? Amazing!

I would never be able to force my mother out of the car, although she incessantly has to question which direction we’re going or what route we’re taking, every-single-time we’re traveling, but you don’t have to appease everyone. Pull over and request that they exit immediately!