As many British tourists ditch holidays abroad for so-called staycations, more than eight out of ten motorists report having their mini-breaks or day trips ruined by the actual car journey, according to research by Automyze, the AA’s innovative car management website.
An AA-Populus poll canvassed 21,877 AA members on what factors have affected their mini-breaks or summer days out, and found that 81% had trips spoiled by the car journey. More than half of those surveyed blame traffic problems, while nearly four out of ten (37%) had their journeys ruined by bad weather.
A further 34% revealed that even when they reached their destination, they couldn’t find anywhere to park. Meanwhile, one in ten drivers (9%) claimed getting lost en route had wrecked their trips.
SUMMER MOTORING PET HATES
Groups of cyclists, car users who throw litter out of the window, and drivers who park inconsiderately are the main pet hates of AA members during summer months. Nearly three in ten (29%) drivers singled out litterers as the most annoying.
Meanwhile, more than a fifth (22%) resented groups of cyclists on the roads over the warmer months. A further 14% thought inconsiderate parking was frustrating.
Drivers playing loud music also riled 7% of respondents with this figure rising to 9% for those aged over 65. Perhaps unsurprisingly, teenagers were least bothered with just 1% of 18-24 year olds citing this as a pet hate.
SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
Lucy Burnford, Director of Automyze, gives her top tips for people planning long journeys over the summer months:
- Don’t put off getting your car serviced
“There’s never a better time for a service than before a long car journey. You may be putting it off but breaking down on the way to the coast and having to stump up for expensive repairs is far from an ideal start to your holiday. It can be a false economy to avoid regular car servicing since a major repair or replacement is likely to outstrip paying to treat regular wear or tear.”
- Assess your tyre conditions
“Long journeys in the heat can be a real test of the durability for your tyres. Only 63% of people, in our latest AA-Populus Survey, made a point of assessing tyre condition, looking out for tread depth, cuts and bulges. If you’re loading up your car for a weekend getaway, are you certain the state of your tyres is up to the strain? Not checking pressures – which your handbook may advise should be higher if you have a full car load – and looking out for worn-out tyres could lead to an unexpected blowout en route.”
- Clean your windscreen
“One of the biggest complaints that motorists make in the late summer is how dazzle from the sun can impede their view while driving. Respondents to our latest survey indicated that more than a third (34%) don’t clean their car windscreens before long journeys, which could be a potentially dangerous oversight. Marks or smears on the windscreen, inside and outside, can accentuate glare from the sun – in the worst cases leading to accidents. Make sure your wipers are in good condition and the screenwash is topped up, too”