Almost a quarter of electric car drivers admit they find it harder to stick to speed limits, according to new research released as millions of families prepare to hit the road for half-term holidays.
The study, from road safety tech company Ooono, found that 23 per cent of EV drivers say keeping to the limit is more difficult, and with the half-term holidays approaching, families also face the added pressure of longer journeys, busy roads and bored children in the back.
Half of UK motorists said they expect to spend more time behind the wheel during the school holiday. Of those, 23 per cent are planning longer journeys, while 27 per cent expect to make more short trips. In total, 45 per cent of drivers said they are either planning or considering a family road trip for the May half-term break.
But while the classic family getaway may sound like a lovely idea, the reality can be a bit more testing once everyone is packed in, the snacks are running low and somebody in the back has asked “are we nearly there yet?” for the ninth time.
Children under 18 were named as Britain’s biggest in-car distraction, with 28 per cent of drivers saying kids are the main reason they lose concentration at the wheel. That puts children ahead of partners being a distraction, cited by 22 per cent, and pets, mentioned by 14 per cent.
More than a quarter of motorists, 26 per cent, also admitted they are more likely to accidentally speed when children are in the car. And with fuel prices at their current high levels, nearly one in five drivers, 19 per cent, said they had recently tried driving faster in an attempt to reduce fuel consumption.
The research paints a fairly lively picture of family life on the move. Some 26 per cent of drivers said they feel highly stressed during family trips, while 18 per cent said journeys have caused arguments in the car. Another 13 per cent said they had nearly had an accident, while 11 per cent said they had needed to pull over to calm themselves before carrying on.
Traffic is also adding to the pressure, with chaotic roads named as the biggest overall distraction by 32 per cent of respondents.
The findings also suggest that speeding remains a big issue on UK road trips. Nearly one in 10 drivers, 9 per cent, said they had received a speeding ticket while on a family road trip, while 35 per cent said they had either received a speeding fine or been sent on a speed awareness course after a UK road trip. Drivers who had received penalties reported paying an average fine of £80.20.
The study also found confusion around some common speeding myths. More than a third of drivers, 36 per cent, believed speed cameras must be clearly visible and signposted, while 16 per cent thought slowing down just before a speed camera would avoid a penalty.
Another 14 per cent believed a speeding ticket is invalid unless it arrives within 14 days, while 12 per cent thought the so-called “10 per cent + 2mph” rule legally allows speeding. One in 10 drivers, 11 per cent, believed motorists only lose their licence for speeds above 100mph.
With half-term traffic expected to add to the usual school holiday shuffle, the message from the research is simple: family trips can be fun, but they can also be noisy, stressful and distracting. And for EV drivers, who may be getting used to smooth, quiet and quick-responding cars, keeping a close eye on the speedometer could be more important than ever.
