As 1.3 million* Brits plan a family driving holiday this year, a new phenomenon, ‘Backseat Brawl Syndrome’ (BBS), is identified.
Research by car hire company easyCar.com reveals children last an average of just three hours and 15 minutes into a car journey before bickering begins and BBS kicks in with one in 10 (12 per cent) failing to reach the 60 minute mark.
Backseat bickering aside, the ideal length of time for a driving holiday abroad has been identified as just over four days (4.25 days) before the arguments begin in earnest.
Although opinion is divided: while 29 per cent admit they manage less than three days on the road before tempers start to fray, a jolly third (34 per cent) never argue when on holiday.
Many recognise the benefits of cars over other forms of transport. Far and away the most preferred mode of transport for convenience, close to two thirds (64 per cent) prefer the car over planes (21 per cent) and trains (five per cent).
Road trips also rate high with UK families for safety with close to a fifth (17 per cent) rating cars the safest way to travel, topping both trains (16 per cent) and ferries (four per cent).
And for those wanting to keep a lid on squabbling siblings, seven in 10 (69 per cent) rate the car the least embarrassing way to travel – far more than the open quarters of a plane (seven per cent), ferry (three per cent) or train (three per cent).
Bill Jones, CEO of easyCar.com, said: “Driving abroad shouldn’t be treated as just a way of getting from A to B, if you make each journey fun and interesting it becomes one of the most memorable parts of the holiday. Simple things like pointing out scenery, looking for landmarks or playing classic car games can make the trip enjoyable – and will keep BBS at bay.”
UK families have voted and the best game to keep children entertained is the classic I-Spy (favoured by 30 per cent). Also popular is the number plate game (10 per cent) followed closely by the perennial red car, blue car, yellow car (nine per cent).
According to the easyCar.com findings, Lancashire families are the least able to keep the peace en route with one in three (36 per cent) admitting they can’t last more than three days followed by holidaymakers from East Anglia (33 per cent) and Yorkshire (32 per cent).
easyCar.com is a leading international car rental broker with a worldwide network of more than 2,400 car hire locations in over 60 countries, including the UK, USA, Australia and many countries within Europe, Africa and South America.
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Notes to Editors:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2062 UK adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 6-9th June 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
* Assuming there are 11,112,749 UK adults with dependent children (ref Office of Statistics, parents aged 16-74 with dependent children, 2001), 12 per cent are planning to drive abroad. 12 per cent of 11,112,719 is 1,333,530.
About easyCar.com
easyCar.com was launched in April 2000 by Stelios, founder of easyJet.com and Chairman of the easyGroup. easyCar is now one of the leading international car rental brokers with a worldwide network of more than 2,400 car hire locations in over 60 countries, including the UK, USA, Australia and many countries within Europe, Africa and South America. easyCar offers a wide range of vehicles from super-mini and compact cars to MPV's and luxury cars. In the UK, easyCar also offers Van Hire under the easyVan.com Brand.
For further information please contact Jennie Webb on 020 7419 7313, jennie@brando-world.com or Jo Fiddy on 020 7419 7335, jo@brando-world.com at Brando