Now a statistician has worked out the exact formula for predicting the odds, and timing, of children exploding in the back of a car during a long journey. According to Dr James Hind, from Nottingham Trent University, T = 70 + 0.5E + 15F – 10S is the code parents can use to eliminate the possibility of rear seat damage. Dr Hind’s research, based on responses from 2,000 parents, found that the time (T) it usually takes the average child to tan during a long car journey is 70 minutes. Tantrum chances decrease for every minute a child is entertained (E), while food (F) will allow parents to delay tantrums by 15 minutes. However, having siblings (S) in the car was found to increase the odds of a rear seat crash by 10 minutes. The research, developed alongside LV= Britannia Rescue, found that the average child will ask “are we almost there?” 32 minutes in a car trip and four times during the route. As families prepare for long journeys ahead of the bank holiday weekend, the survey found that boredom is the main cause of backseat tantrums – cited by 68% of parents – followed by the long journey (62%) and children hungry (57 %). Dr Hind said: “If you only have one child and you can entertain them and occasionally bribe them with food, you could manage a two-hour drive without explosions. “Unfortunately, two children without entertainment and without snacks can create a tantrum in just 40 minutes. “Snacks are important, but there’s a limit to how much they can help, so keep them to two an hour maximum. Entertainment is key, but even that falls short with very long travel times. “Taking breaks to ‘reset the clock’ is important for preventing tantrums, as well as making sure you’re not tired while driving.” Henry Topham, chief executive of LV= Britannia Rescue, added: “Travelling with young children in the back seat is never easy and the research and formula highlight considerations that parents across the UK will no doubt be experiencing this year Weekend”.
