It’s important for drivers to keep their cool on the road but there are many distractions that can try their patience.

A recent survey by The Parts Alliance, in association with Ice Station, listed the Top Ten Most Irritating Car Habits that got drivers hot under the collar.

10 – Animals

Doggy slobber over the windows and travel-sick cats, long journeys with animals was named as an experience to forget.

9 – Older children

Boredom, arguing and fighting can strike at any moment within the constraints of a long car journey. Finding things to occupy everyone from active 10-year-olds to antsy adolescents emerged as a real cause of frustration for some drivers.

A rear-view mirror is not enough. Parents really need to have eyes in the back of their heads.

8 – Younger children

Tears, tantrums, potty training and travel sickness… the list goes on when it comes to travelling with young children.

7 – Food

Crumbs on the seats, crisps squashed into the lining, spilt drinks and passengers munching away were all said to really test drivers’ patience.

6 – “Are we nearly there yet?”

Enough said.

5 – Being caught short

No matter how much you prepare, someone usually needs the loo shortly after you set off on that long journey.

4 – Music

Does the driver get to choose the music? Or do passengers get the veto? From dad’s Meatloaf to mum’s Madonna, music was named an annoyance.

3 – “I mean left!”

Directional disputes were high on the list, with map-reading skills and satellite navigation all contributing to in-car irritations.

2 – Back-seat drivers

Back-seat drivers with ‘helpful’ comments from all ages send drivers’ tempers up to boiling point.

1 – Other drivers

Other road users cause the most hot air in the car. Annoyances included hogging the middle lane, unnecessary braking, rubbernecking, undertaking and driving at inappropriate speeds.

To take the heat out of these situations and keep your cool this summer ensure your car’s air conditioning is in working order. To find the nearest garage for air conditioning service and repair visit www.icestation.uk.com.