Buckle Up: Unpacking Parents' Top Concerns When Driving
Time spent in the car with kids can be a great opportunity to bond, whether it’s short commutes to school or long family road trips filled with memories and conversations that bring people together. But realistically, driving with kids can also pose unique challenges like managing backseat bickering, spilled snacks, and questions about how much longer it’ll be until you get to the destination.
We know that these small passengers come with a different set of needs, and we set out to understand them better by conducting a survey with 1,776 parents and guardians. Most notably, we found that 77% of parents agree that driving with children in the car comes with challenges and concerns. Additionally, about 6 in 10 parents (63%) say they feel more anxious when they drive with children in the car.
In this post, we’ll reveal parents' top concerns about driving with their children from our latest survey and show how the right vehicle can boost their confidence and security on the road.
1. Safety
Seventy-seven percent of parents agreed that driving with kids poses additional challenges and concerns, so we asked this group about their top three concerns when driving with kids. Child safety during an accident was selected 55% of the time, making it the most common response.
During a car crash, children face a higher risk of injury than adults for several reasons such as their smaller size and stage of physical development. Because of this, it’s imperative for parents to take extra measures to ensure the safety of child passengers. Putting kids in the back seat and using proper restraints is a good start, but parents can (and do) opt for additional means of protection.
Most notably, nearly half (47%) of parents say they prefer driving vehicles with higher safety ratings after having kids. To this point, 84% of parents remarked that safety ratings from organizations like IIHS and NHTSA are important when purchasing a vehicle for their family.
These third-party organizations provide a wealth of unbiased safety information that parents can use when shopping for a new vehicle.
For example, NHTSA has published safety ratings for an assortment of Mazda vehicles shown below, and users can click in for more information about each.
Alternatively, prospective buyers can look for cars awarded by safety rating groups like the IIHS, such as their TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+.
When purchasing a new family vehicle, we recommend checking both of these organizations and doing additional research to ensure high safety ratings. Mazda offers a wide array of vehicles with excellent safety ratings and accolades. including sedans and crossover SUVs to suit a variety of family needs
2. Other drivers and road conditions
The second most selected driving concern among parents was related to factors outside of the driver’s control like weather, changing road conditions, and other drivers’ behaviors. Specifically, 43% of respondents cited this as a top three concern when driving with children.
Getting behind the wheel puts drivers in unpredictable situations. Even if the weather looks fine now, an unexpected storm can drastically change road conditions with little notice. Additionally, roadside hazards can be hard to see when driving at fast speeds or at night. Potentially most concerning is that other drivers can pose dangers even for those who drive safely themselves. Of course, all these concerns are amplified when parents may have to devote some of their attention to kids in the vehicle.
Luckily, advancements in technology have led to the development of features that can help drivers mitigate these risks. In fact, 40% of parents say that since having kids, they now prefer vehicles with advanced safety and driver assistance features.
When asked about which of these features are essential, these were the top three choices among respondents:
- Backup Camera: 72%
- Blind-Spot Monitoring: 57%
- Collision Warning: 49%
Backup cameras have been required on all U.S. vehicles since 2018, though there are no such requirements for blind-spot monitoring and collision warning systems. These systems are invaluable for parent drivers, as they take a proactive approach to monitor surroundings and protect against things people can’t, or don’t, see in time.
Here are a few standout features of i-ACTIVSENSE® that parents might find valuable:
- Smart Brake Support: Can activate emergency braking if a potential collision is detected with vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, or other road users in the vehicle’s forward path.2
- Blind Spot Assist: Can alert and provide momentary steering assistance when changing or deviating from a lane to help avoid collisions with adjacent vehicles.3
- Cruising & Traffic Support: Enables vehicles to maintain a set following distance from vehicles ahead while providing lane-centering assistance.4
Additionally, Mazda crossover SUVs all come standard with our unique i-ACTIV All-Wheel-Drive (AWD)® system that monitors vehicle dynamics in real time to watch for variations drivers may not notice. The system then automatically controls the distribution of torque to assist with vehicle handling under difficult road conditions. These are just a few of the standout features that can help parents overcome factors out of their control when driving with children, but you can learn about others on the Mazda Safety page.
3. Managing young passengers while driving
While controlling vehicle torque and steering engages the driver’s senses, riding in the back seat isn’t always as enjoyable for kids. When kids are bored, or worse, uncomfortable — they can vocalize those concerns in ways that stress and distract parent drivers.
The third most frequently selected concern in our survey supports this notion, and we had a tie between two closely related responses — “keeping children entertained while driving” and “managing children's behavior and distractions”, which were each selected by 32% of parents who agreed driving with children comes with additional challenges and concerns.
Ensuring a pleasant experience for passengers can be equally beneficial to the driver, and the best way to do this is by choosing a vehicle that offers connectivity and comfort features. We asked parents about the entertainment and connectivity features they believe are essential, and many of the responses reinforce a focus on the passenger’s experience.
The top response was “Smartphone Connectivity (Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™)”, which was selected by 58% of respondents followed closely by “USB Ports” at 54%. A third (33%) of respondents also chose “Wi-Fi Hotspots” as an essential feature.
- Apple CarPlay™ integration for your iPhone® and Android Auto™ integration
- Alexa Built-In
- HD Radio™
- Premium Bose® Audio System
- Front and Rear USB Ports
- Wireless Charging Pad
- In-Vehicle Wi-Fi
Beyond entertainment and connectivity, we also asked parents about comfort and convenience features that are essential in a vehicle. Here are the top three responses:
- Smooth Ride: 67%
- Climate Control and Vents for All Passengers: 60%
- Ample Cup Holders and Storage Compartments: 49%
Similar to what we saw with entertainment and connectivity features, the most valued comfort and convenience features also emphasize the passenger experience. A smooth and stable ride can help kids stay calm and relaxed, potentially allowing them to get some much-needed rest. Additionally, rear-seat climate control and ventilation offer better airflow in the back and ensure a comfortable ride for kids of all ages. We also found parents value vehicles with ample cup holders and storage compartments, so kids can have their own space within the vehicle rather than bickering over shared amenities.
Mazda vehicles offer these essential features and more, to ensure comfort, convenience, and connectivity for the entire family.
Find the Perfect Vehicle for Your Family
It’s no surprise that driving with children poses additional concerns and challenges. However, parents can overcome these stressors by choosing a vehicle that offers exceptional safety ratings, driver assistance features, and amenities to keep kids entertained and comfortable.
Mazda excels in all these regards, with a lineup of top-safety- rated vehicles to match every family’s unique needs and preferences. Whether you have a smaller family that would enjoy the refined interiors and ample cargo space of the Mazda CX-5, CX-50, and CX-70 or need the roomier, three-row Mazda CX-90 with seating for up to eight, Mazda has you covered with premium features that prioritize comfort and safety.
Ready to find the perfect fit for your family? Visit a local dealer and explore the Mazda family-friendly vehicles in person.
Methodology
The findings presented in this article are the result of a July 2024 study of 1,776 U.S.-based parents who own and drive at least one vehicle. In this study, “parents” are defined as adults who are the parent or guardian of at least one child who is 18 years old or younger. (Confidence Level: 95%, Margin of Error: 2%)
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the latest competitive information available at the time of posting. Information herein is subject to change without notice and without Mazda incurring any obligations. Please review a variety of resources prior to making a purchasing decision. Visit Resource Center for more articles.