Kids driving their parents to distraction

More than six in 10 European parents (63%) admit they struggle to fully concentrate on the road when their children are misbehaving in the car, claims new research.

Worryingly, the study conducted by Nissan, also reveals that nearly one in three adults (29%) reveal they know they’re less safe behind the wheel as a result.

Parents say the level of distraction means they’ve taken their eyes off the road and their hands off the steering wheel. They also say they’ve run through red traffic lights, forgotten to indicate, braked suddenly, swerved into the next lane, and even been forced to stop the car completely.

As a result, parents are increasingly turning to in-car technology in the quest to keep the whole family safe on the road.

The research highlighted that avoiding distractions is one of the biggest concerns for parents when choosing which car to buy, with one in three (34%) saying they would actively look for driving assistance systems when choosing their next car. These could be automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

Crying and screaming tantrums top the list of kids’ misbehaviour (65%), followed by backseat battles between siblings or friends (58%), kicking the back of the driver’s seat (49%), undoing their seat belts (43%) and throwing toys around the car’s cabin (39%).

“Any parent knows that family outings aren’t always straightforward,” said Jean-Philippe Roux of Nissan Europe. “The smallest passengers often bring the biggest surprises when you’re trying to concentrate on the road, which can create a stressful time for the parent behind the wheel.

“Driving safely and staying focused should always be the driver’s main priority, and there’s no substitute for this.

“However, knowing your car is fitted with technology that can predict and prevent potentially dangerous situations can help create an overall feeling of calm at the wheel. This, in turn helps drivers keep their focus firmly on the road ahead.”

Kids and in-car stress – the facts:

• Parents spend an average of 2 hours and 54 minutes in the car with their children each week, the equivalent of over 6 days every year
• One in five parents (20%) said their kids’ behaviour is at its worst in the car, ahead of getting dressed for school (11%), supermarket trips (17%) or bed time (12%)
• Mums (67%) find it harder to concentrate when driving with misbehaving kids in the back compared to (57%) of dads
• Mums are far more likely to delegate the driving because of their kids’ behaviour – 24% said they’d handed over the keys to someone else, compared to 12% of dads

Nissan’s Top 10 tips for stress-free car journeys with the kids:

1. Plan ahead of time to avoid unnecessary stops and distractions
2. Allocate time for frequent toilet and rest breaks
3. Experiment with different types of music in the car to identify what will keep your kids entertained
4. Invest in some in-car entertainment to keep the kids busy
5. Let the kids have a role in planning where to go – this will keep them excited, providing them with something to look forward to
6. Stock up on nutritious snacks to avoid depleted energy levels; hungry kids are noisy kids, so make sure you are prepared
7. Bring your kids’ favourite ‘comfort toys’ to provide a sense of familiarity and security
8. Drive when it fits in with your kids’ routines. If they nap at a certain time, consider whether they could nap in their car seat
9. Make sure the kids are comfy with the appropriate, properly adjusted car seat and clothing
10. Make sure you do all the relevant checks on your car before you leave: fluid levels, tyre pressures, tread depth and make sure the air con is working – there is nothing than worse than needing breakdown support on the motorway with disgruntled kids in the back