Brits across the nation will be driving home for Christmas this festive season in a bid to avoid delays and cancellations on the public transport network.
Research from Volkswagen Financial Services UK (VWFS) has found that more than half of Brits (55%) are planning to get behind the wheel to ensure they’re home for a wonderful Christmastime.
The car finance company’s data insights team also report that almost a third of the population (31%) will be driving more than 100 miles to spend time with loved ones over Christmas.
It is believed that the anticipated high number of car journeys, and estimated long distances to be travelled, are linked to the current disruption across the UK’s railway stations and airports.
Volkswagen Financial Services UK’s (VWFS) research also found that 22% of respondents will be driving further this Christmas compared to previous years.
Furthermore, 44% of Brits claim they’ll have a designated driver over Christmas, whilst one in five will go on family drives over the Christmas period.
And most people tend to chitchat with friends or family (52%) when driving at Christmastime, followed by listening to podcasts or the radio (43%), singing songs (15%), playing games (13%) and sleeping (6%).
Charlotte Cheeseman, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen Financial Services UK, said: “It’s famously known as the most wonderful time of the year and we Brits are certainly not taking any chances when it comes to getting home for Christmas, with more than half of us planning to get in the car to spend time with loved ones. A combination of factors have contributed to this trend, and we’re gearing up for our Rent-a-Car service to see a spike in demand this month. People who perhaps have no vehicle or run smaller vehicles year-round are hiring larger, more reliable vehicles to fulfil their Christmas plans of visiting friends and family.”
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