A recent survey unveiled the most common family disputes during car journeys, such as children getting upset over snacks and disagreements about seating arrangements. The poll, which involved 2,000 drivers with kids under 17, revealed that 69% have had arguments with their children while traveling by car. The primary cause of tension was hunger, reported by 34% of respondents, followed by the classic “are we there yet?” question at 26%.
Interestingly, parents start feeling irritated after their kids ask the aforementioned question only three times. Additionally, the study, sponsored by Vauxhall in conjunction with the launch of their new Frontera family SUV, highlighted that 14% of participants have had conflicts due to poor phone or internet signal, leading to 55% feeling hesitant about embarking on a family road trip.
A significant finding was that 47% of individuals find long drives with children more stressful than traveling abroad with them. With the upcoming October half-term, where 64% of parents plan extended car trips, Steve Catlin, the managing director of Vauxhall, emphasized the importance of the right snacks, space, and playlist to ensure a peaceful journey.
Challenges faced during long drives included kids getting bored (50%), sibling arguments (37%), and keeping them entertained (35%). To tackle these issues, 71% of respondents prepare snacks and drinks in advance, while 22% choose to travel during nap times. Moreover, over half (52%) believe that ample space in the car’s backseat would significantly improve journeys with children, and 45% highlighted the importance of music streaming via Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
The study, conducted by Market research and PR surveys – OnePoll: Inspiring Human Insights, revealed that 52% of parents have threatened to turn the car around due to their children’s misbehavior, with 34% following through with the threat. When considering a new family car, comfort was the top priority for 74% of respondents, although safety was a driving factor for 57%.
A spokesperson for Vauxhall emphasized the importance of a family-friendly vehicle for easier journeys, citing the new Vauxhall Frontera with its spacious interior, connectivity features, and Intelli-Seat for comfortable long trips.