A GENDER battle will be fought on the roads this summer, according to a recent poll of 2000 motorists.

The survey, carried out by jamjar cars, showed that the 'battle of the sexes' is fought fiercest in the front seat, with 79 per cent of women and 85 per cent of men thinking their driving skills are better than their partner's.

Yet findings show that good driving is just a matter of opinion, albeit one which differs depending on gender. To help couples survive stressful summer journeys, jamjar cars has identified the most common contrasting driving traits that cause conflict and highlighted specific in-car criticism that both parties should avoid for on-the-road harmony.

For men, the key characteristic of a good driver is confidence, with 49 per cent of male respondents listing this as the most important trait when on the road, closely followed by speed (28 per cent).

In contrast, women rated safety (52 per cent), courtesy (26 per cent) and patience (12 per cent) as essential qualities in a good driver, with the majority of female motorists ranking all three traits ahead of speed and confidence.

From these findings, jamjar cars has identified four key phrases for both sexes to avoid whilst their partners are driving.

Men should steer clear of the following utterances if wanting a happy holiday journey:

"You could have got a bus through there!"

"You're allowed to put it into fourth gear!"

"You're being overtaken by a cyclist!"

"You're totally lost!"

Women, on the other hand, should never utter the following comments unless they want a fight in the front seats:

"Do you know what the speed limit is?"

"You're too close to that car!"

"Calm down!"

"Have you ever tried saying thank you?

Joe Pattinson, marketing manager at jamjar cars, said: "Driving habits can be a source of contention between the most harmonious of couples as there are such marked difference between the sexes when it comes to judgement of good and bad driving.

"It is a cliché, but our findings indicate that women are more generous to other drivers, whereas male drivers concentrate on their own progress on the roads. It is easy to fly off the handle when our driving skills are criticised, particularly when temperatures are high and tempers are already fraying."