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Carguments
The most common arguments Aussies have in the car and the impact on their driving
Over three-quarters (76.62%) of Australians admit to arguing with their partner, family, or friends while driving. But what are these arguments really about?
A new survey of 1,000 Australians from the car insurance comparison experts at iSelect uncovered the most common topics of car-based disagreements.
The study also looked at how much arguing behind the wheel distracts drivers and which types of arguments are the most disruptive.
The most common car arguments and their impact on driving
Among Australians, directions were the leading cause of in-car arguments, with more than a third admitting to disputes about navigation. Almost half (48.6%) of those who argued about directions said it distracted them while driving.
Speed, backseat driving, and driving style followed closely, with between 22.3% and 23.9% of Aussies reporting arguments about these topics. Disagreements over speed were also the most distracting, affecting half of the drivers who argued about it.
While only 18.3% of Aussies said they’ve had personal arguments unrelated to driving, these were the second most distracting type of dispute, with almost half admitting they lost focus as a result.
Charges related to driving, such as tolls and parking, were among the least argued about and least distracting topics, with only one in twenty Aussies disagreeing over them and just 28.6% of those saying they were distracted. This may be because these costs are often discussed outside the car. The least distracting argument overall was about in-car conditions, with only a fifth of the 14.3% who argued about it admitting that it took their focus off the road.
Which age groups argue the most in the car and about what
Gen Z and millennials are the most likely to argue in the car, with older millennials (aged 35–44) being the most argumentative, as 87% admit to disputes behind the wheel. In contrast, Australians over 65 are the least likely to argue while driving.
While other age groups report directions as the main cause of disagreements, 18 to 24-year-olds are most likely to argue about music choice or volume, with a third admitting to this type of argument. However, backseat driving is the biggest distraction for this younger group, affecting almost a quarter (24.8%) of drivers.
For those in their mid-thirties, managing kids or pets in the car becomes a common source of tension, with over a quarter (26.7%) of 35 to 44-year-olds reporting arguments about this. It is also highly distracting for this group, with one in five admitting it takes their attention off the road. For other age groups, the distraction level for this issue is close to the national average, with 12.5% reporting arguments about it.
Which states argue the most in the car and about what
Victoria is the state where drivers argue the most, with 83% of those surveyed admitting to disputes behind the wheel. That’s seven percentage points above the national average and more than 10 points higher than South Australia, the least argumentative state.
Directions and navigation were the most common causes of “carguments” across all states, with more than two in five Victorians admitting to arguing about this, which is the highest of any state.
Among those who’ve argued in the car, Western Australians were the most likely to be distracted by these disagreements, with seven in ten saying the arguments took their attention off the road.
Carguments by relationship status
Arguments in the car are most common among respondents in a relationship (excluding married couples), with 89.7% reporting they’ve argued in the car, compared to 81.6% of married respondents and 64.4% of singles. Those not currently in a relationship were the least likely overall to have experienced a cargument, with over a third (35.6%) saying they’ve never argued in the car.
Directions and driving speed were the top triggers for car arguments across all groups. Married people were the group most likely to argue about directions and navigation, with two in five admitting to doing so. Meanwhile, those in a relationship were the group most likely to disagree on speed, with three in ten stating this as a topic of disagreement.
Married respondents reported higher rates of arguments about parking, backseat driving, and driving style, likely reflecting shared or long-term driving routines. Those in relationships but not married were also most likely to argue about parking or manoeuvres, driving style, and backseat driving.
Single people had lower rates of arguments across most categories but were more likely to report personal disagreements unrelated to driving, showing that when they do argue, it’s less about the road and more about broader personal topics. This may be because couples are more comfortable raising driving issues with each other compared to single people.
When looking at those most distracted by these arguments, married individuals reported the highest rate of distraction, with over two-thirds admitting to it. However, the difference was minimal, only around four percentage points higher than other relationship groups.
“It’s easy to underestimate how much an argument in the car can take your focus off the road. But as our research shows, 72% of Aussies have driven distracted due to conflict, which is concerning given more than three-quarters of people admit to arguing in the car.
“Even a quick disagreement over directions or music can increase the risk of an accident. That’s why it’s so important for drivers to stay focused and leave arguments for outside the car. Passengers should also respect that the driver needs to stay in control, or they risk contributing to a potential accident.
“We know arguments can happen no matter how hard you try to avoid them, which is why it’s always important to have the right car insurance in place to protect yourself if the unexpected happens.”
Adrian Bennett
General Manager – General Insurance at iSelect
Written by:
Sarah Grealy
Digital Public Relations Specialist
0413 363 690
Sarah is our Digital Public Relations Specialist, and brings more than a decade of experience in the insurance comparison industry to iSelect.
With a passion for storytelling through data-driven insights, Sarah strives to empower Aussies with practical guides and tips.
About the data
We partnered with independent research company PureProfile to survey 1,001 Australians aged 18 and over about their experiences with in-car arguments — or “carguments.” The nationally representative survey explored what people most commonly argue about while driving, how often these disagreements occur, and whether they distract drivers from the road.
Responses were collected across all Australian states and territories, with balanced representation by gender, age, relationship status, and work status. Percentages presented in this report are based on the total number of respondents, as well as proportional analysis within each demographic classifier to highlight behavioural differences across groups.
This survey data provides insight into the driving dynamics and communication habits of Australian households, helping to better understand the factors that contribute to stress and distraction on the road.
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About 
At iSelect, we’re passionate about making Aussies’ lives easier by saving them time, effort and money. We are Australia’s go-to destination for comparison across insurance, utilities and personal finance products made available from our range of providers. Our service is provided at no cost to the customer.
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