Diamond has released the results of a new study that reveals one in four British children suffer from travel sickness. The research also suggests the affliction could run in the family.

The study of 2,000 parents by the women’s car insurance specialist has shown even those whose children aren’t regularly travel sick prepare for the worst with two fifths taking the precaution of keeping sick bags in the car just in case.

And for the parents of children who do get car sick, three quarters have to stop and pull over for their child to be ill, travelling an average of just 35 miles before halting the journey. The research also found two fifths of unlucky parents have been left cleaning up after their child was ill in the car mid journey, while a similar number avoid long car journeys altogether because of the stress of their children possibly getting sick.

Interestingly, the research suggests parents who suffered from travel sickness as a child themselves are five times more likely to have a child who also gets ill in the car, compared to parents who did not get sick as a child:

– 41% of parents who suffered from travel sickness as a child have a child who also suffers.
– 8% of parents who did not suffer from travel sickness as a child have a child who suffers.

Although many children will grow out of being car sick, the findings reveal this isn’t always the case. Three in five parents who said they suffered from travel sickness as a child, still experience symptoms as an adult.

Diamond’s managing director, Harriet Neale said: “Car journeys with children can be difficult at the best of times, but when you throw in travel sickness, they become even more stressful for parents and children alike.

“Our study certainly suggests travel sickness runs in the family so many parents will empathise with their children and hopefully know a few remedies to make car journeys that little bit easier.”

The study found that many respondents found opening the windows and getting air circulating around the car as the best way to alleviate the symptoms of travel sickness, with three quarters saying it works. Almost half of parents said travel sickness pills or avoiding looking down will stop their children feeling sick, while acupressure wristbands, chewing gum and closing eyes are the least likely to work.

Via EPR Network
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