“Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”
Planning can take the headache out of school holiday road trips
With the school holidays fast approaching and many Western Australian families packing up the car and setting out on the road to their favourite holiday spots, leading car insurer AAMI is reminding drivers that a little planning can go a long way in making the family road trip a safer and more enjoyable experience.
AAMI spokesperson Mike Sopinski said a little preparation and good behaviours behind the wheel were key to helping maintain family harmony during long car journeys.
"Western Australian drivers are used to covering long distances by car and some simple planning before setting out can help ensure all family members enjoy the drive these school holidays," Mr Sopinski said.
"Encouragingly, AAMI's research1Â found three-quarters of Western Australian drivers (77%) say they already plan their holiday driving to try to avoid peak traffic.
"The school holiday road trip is a great Aussie family tradition and can lead to many great memories for the whole family, but it is worrying that some drivers are still taking unnecessary risks in their race to reach the holiday destination on time.
"In fact AAMI's research found that one in eight Western Australian drivers (12%) admit they have a tendency to speed when driving during holiday periods in order to get to their destination sooner - slightly above the national average of 10%.
"Planning the route ahead of time and allowing plenty of time for the trip, including regular rest stops, will eliminate the need to rush and help ensure everyone arrives at the holiday spot safely," Mr Sopinski said.
One in eight Western Australian drivers (12%) also said they overloaded their vehicles when driving to a holiday spot which, aside from being uncomfortable for passengers, can be a dangerous practice if it impedes the driver's visibility.
"While there can often be a lot to fit into the family car before a holiday, from suitcases and backpacks to kids' bikes and boogie boards, spending a few extra minutes to pack the car properly and maximise space can make a big difference," Mr Sopinski said.
A little planning also goes a long way when travelling with young children, who can often become bored and grumpy during extended car trips.
"Bored children can be a serious distraction to drivers during long trips. But simple preparation can help to keep them - and the driver - much happier.
"Involve the children in planning the in-car entertainment and bring along plenty of music, games and toys and healthy snacks. If you don't know any travelling games, the internet is a great source.
"Remember to pack some active toys children can play with during rest stops as well. Balls, frisbees and skipping ropes won't take up much room but will help to burn off pent up energy and stretch cramped muscles.
"With a little forethought and some good preparation the family car trip could even turn out to be one of the highlights these school holidays," Mr Sopinski said.
"But don't forget to a pack a few small surprises to keep in reserve - for when the chorus of 'are we there yet' kicks in."
AAMI is the provider of comprehensive car insurance and third party property car insurance
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Mike Sopinski, AAMI Media Manager, 07 3135 3997 or 0421 052 598
1 AAMI's research is based on an independent internet survey of 2,818 Australians, conducted by IPSOS Research across all states and territories. Collected data is carefully weighted in line with current ABS population demographics to ensure any extrapolation of results is representative of age, gender and population on a regional, state and national basis.
