New Study Uncovers 'Ideal Summer Road Trips' for Families
25 May 2000
General Knowledge: 'N Sync Smashes Clinton in Latest Poll
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 25 From 'N Sync and in-park
amusements to junk food and "holding it," kids reveal that the more things
change about summer car trips, the more they stay the same, according to a
recent nationwide "Ideal Summer Road Trip" poll conducted by General Tire.
With 274 million American families expected to travel this summer*, kids play
an important role in deciding the sanity and safety of highway drivers. The
"Ideal Summer Road Trip" survey of 512 third, fourth and fifth graders
redefines the most loved and loathed aspects of summer road vacations.
Key findings:
* Acoustics vs. athletics: 'N Sync ties Michael Jordan for favorite dream
travel mate.
* Despite decades of differences, parents resort to same travel catch
phrases.
* Car trouble and highway emergencies ruin 58 percent of road trips.
* Interactive video games replace old-fashioned family car games.
Loved
Surprisingly, 36 percent of kids picked boy band 'N Sync as best backseat
dream buddy tying ESPN's "Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century," Michael
Jordan. Despite the raging Pokemon craze, Pikachu placed third with 20
percent, leaving lame duck President Clinton last.
In the new millennium, interactive video games (42%) pass inter-personal
family favorites (18%) as top travel time-killers. In fact, two fourth-
graders snubbed their parents' past preferences, calling I Spy, Punch Buggy
and 20 Questions "ancient" and "from the "dinosaur age."
Almost half of kids surveyed prefer long lines to shorelines, picking
amusement parks over beaches as the "Ideal Summer Road Trip" destination with
camping and routes to a relative's house pulling in the rear. An overwhelming
88 percent say the recipe to successful road trips is junk food: burgers,
chips, candy, cookies and doughnuts. Some brave parents of 11 and 12-year-
olds pack fork-and-knife dishes such as spaghetti and Oriental beef with
broccoli.
Loathed
More than anything else, kids hated being stuck in the seat next to a
sibling -- no matter how long the trip. More than 34 percent report being
with a brother or sister is worse than sitting still (31%), "holding it"(25%),
and even getting car sick (10%). Consequently, nearly half of all parents cry
"Leave your brother/sister alone" more than any other car travel command,
edging out the infamous "Stop asking if we're almost there" (29%) and "Sit
still and be quiet" (21%).
From flat tires and breakdowns to speeding tickets and empty gas tanks,
auto "uh-ohs" wrecked two-thirds summer road trips. One third grader
remembers: "On the way to Six Flags, my mom ramped a curb and we got a flat.
Then on the way home she got two speeding tickets!"
As millions of families take to the road this summer, General Tire cannot
produce "Air Jordan" for the backseat, but it can provide tips for a safe
journey. In response to the most popular road travel complaint, flat tires,
General Tire has developed a valuable phrase to encourage proactive
maintenance and help prevent roadway mishaps: "Safe A.I.R. -- Alignment,
Inflation, Rotation." This three-step process is simple, inexpensive and
keeps family cars on the straight path to summer fun.
General Tire is known by tire dealers for dependability in both sales and
quality. General brand tires have been an industry standard since 1915. They
are available in family, sport utility, light truck, commercial and high-
performance models, and are original equipment on a wide range of passenger
vehicles including those from Ford, General Motors and Nissan.
For additional tips on keeping kids happy on the highway and "Safe AIR,"
visit http://www.generaltire.com or call (800) 847-3349.
* According to the Travel Industry of America (TIA).
