Almost a third of parents admit to ‘hands free’ steering to keep kids awake in the car
- Celebrity mum, Binky Felstead, urges parents to be ultra careful if their child falls asleep in the car: “I’m backing Churchill’s danger naps campaign to remind all parents don’t take your hands off the wheel”
- Almost a third (30 per cent) of parents have taken their hands off the wheel to try and stop a child napping in the car, with 10 per cent doing so in the last week
- On average if a child falls asleep in the car it pushes their bedtime back almost an hour
- Baby Shark by Pink Fong is parents ‘go to’ track to try and keep their child awake if they look like they are about to danger nap in the car
Almost a third (30 per cent) of parents with young child admit to taking their hands off the wheel when driving, to prevent their child napping in the car, reveals new research from Churchill1. Parents are adopting dangerous driving behaviours, by stroking or tickling their child when driving, to avoid the dreaded ‘danger nap’ when a child sneaks a sleep that disrupts their usual bed or naptime. On average if a child falls asleep in the car it pushes their bedtime back almost an hour2, by 54 minutes, which can be disruptive and can impact their temperament and behaviour the next day.
One in ten (10 per cent) parents of a young child have taken their hands off the steering wheel, with potential dangerous consequences, to stop their offspring napping in just the last week. Almost half (49 per cent) of parents actively try to keep their children from sleeping in the car.
Drivers caught by the police without their hands on the wheel could be prosecuted for ‘not being in proper control of a motor vehicle’. If convicted of the offence drivers would receive three points on their licence and a £100 fine. However, if the case if referred to a Magistrates Court they could face a significantly higher fine and even risk being disqualified from driving altogether.
Some parents are taking huge safety risks when driving because they are concerned about the impact of unplanned naps on their children’s schedule and behaviour if they fall asleep in the car. The so-called car ‘danger nap’ sees over a third (38 per cent) of children going to sleep later than their usual bedtime. Falling asleep in the car means almost a fifth (19 per cent) of children are upset for the rest of the day, crying and unsettled. It also can impact a child’s appetite, with 18 per cent of parents saying if a child falls asleep in the car they don’t eat properly for the rest of the day.
Binky Felstead, Celebrity mum, said: “I know how frustrating it can be when your child falls asleep in the car, which can spoil their routine for the rest of the day and leave them terribly upset. I’m backing Churchill’s campaign, to remind all parents don’t take your hands off the wheel, if your child is falling asleep, it isn’t worth the risk for your family’s safety or other people on the road. Try singing, playing music, or lowering the temperature to keep the little ones awake. The safety risks of taking your hands off the wheel to raise your child if asleep in the car just aren’t worth it.”
More than one in ten (11 per cent) of parents admit to taking their eyes off the road if they are concerned their child is falling asleep in the car. Techniques parents use to keep their children awake in the car also include singing them a song (30 per cent) and making silly noises (30 per cent). Parents also rely on screen time to help, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) using phones and tablets to keep their children awake. Other techniques include opening car windows (23 per cent) to let fresh air into the vehicle as a pick me up for the child or lowering the temperature via the aircon (12 per cent).
Table One: Techniques parents use to keep their child awake in the car
Techniques used to keep children awake |
Percentage of parents who use this technique |
Took hands of the wheel |
30 per cent |
Singing them a song |
30 per cent |
Made silly noises |
30 per cent |
Played music |
28 per cent |
Given them something to watch on the ipad / iphone while driving |
24 per cent |
Opened windows (other than child’s) |
23 per cent |
Opened child’s window |
16 per cent |
Shouted |
14 per cent |
Lowered the temperature with the air con |
12 per cent |
Turned the aircon to full |
9 per cent |
Source: Churchill Car Insurance
Over a quarter (28 per cent) of parents play music to keep their child awake in the car in attempt to avoid the dreaded danger nap. Of those parents that play music, the most popular song used to keep children awake is the insanely catchy “Baby Shark” by PINKFONG (36 per cent), followed by the Disney classic "Let It Go" by Idina Menzel in Frozen (26 per cent). Other ‘go to’ wake up tracks for parents include “Happy" by Pharrell Williams (24 per cent), "Firework" by Katy Perry (22 per cent). and “Can’t stop the feeling” by Justin Timberlake (15 per cent).
Nicholas Mantel, Churchill motor lead, said: “Being a parent can be incredibly rewarding but also incredibly stressful, everyone who has been a parent knows how frustrating it can be if a young child falls asleep and risks disrupting their nap or bedtime. However, parents that take their hands off the wheel to keep their child awake risk their own safety, that of their child and others on the roads. They also face the real risk of prosecution, which can bring with it significant costs and potentially risk working opportunities if people have a criminal record.”
Regional findings
More than half (55 per cent) of parents of young children in London take their hands off the car steering wheel to keep their child awake. These parents are taking an incredible risk with their safety and that of others. Other risky areas for parents driving ‘hands free’ include the North East (36 per cent), North West (34 per cent) and Scotland (29 per cent).
Table two: Regional breakdown of parents of young children who table their hands off the wheel to keep them awake in the car
Region |
Percentage of parents who take their hands off the wheel to keep their child awake |
London |
55 per cent |
North East |
36 per cent |
North West |
34 per cent |
Scotland |
29 per cent |
East of England |
28 per cent |
Yorkshire and Humberside |
26 per cent |
East Midlands |
25 per cent |
South East |
22 per cent |
West Midlands |
19 per cent |
South West |
15 per cent |
Source: Churchill Car Insurance
ENDS
Notes to Editor
1 Churchill commissioned an Opinium Survey of 1002 UK adults with children under the age of 12 undertaken between 27th – 29th June 2023. Results have been weighted to be nationally representative
2 Churchill commissioned an Opinium Survey of 1000 UK adults with children under the age of 12 undertaken between 7th – 13th June 2023. Results have been weighted to be nationally representative.
For further information please contact:
Hayley Saunders
Churchill PR Manager
Email: hayley.saunders@directlinegroup.co.uk
Churchill
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