LONDON, Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The secret to
avoiding arguments in the car this holiday season is as simple as
plugging in a reliable satellite navigation device(satnav),
research by The Hertz Corporation (NYSE:HTZ) in the UK found.
According to Hertz's poll, the most common cause of in-car rows is
getting lost and bickering over directions.
With millions of motorists predicted to hit the roads from
December 19, the risk of family
flare-ups is greater than ever.
More than four in 10 drivers (44%) named navigation as the most
likely cause of a dispute during a family car journey, while nearly
half (48%) said a satnav was the most important item to pack.
Parents should also remember to take some gadgets to occupy
their children, as the survey found noisy and naughty youngsters
are the second biggest reason for disagreements –voted for by 40%
of motorists. Almost a third (29%) identified games and
entertainment as the top items to take on a family trip.
The satnav may also come in handy for finding alternative
routes, as, according to the survey's findings, the third most
common cause of arguments is getting stuck in traffic.
"With so many people on the roads, the holidays can be a
stressful time for families to spend in the car, said
Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International. "Last
year brought storms and floods that left people stranded in their
vehicles and delayed journeys."
"Our research shows that a little planning and a few essential
items can make the difference between a smooth getaway and a
nightmare trip," Taride continued.
For those hiring vehicles for their holiday getaway, the Hertz
NeverLost® satellite navigation system takes the strain out of
mapping the best route. The technology is available on rentals
across Europe and features an
easy-to-use touch-screen, voice control, Bluetooth for hands-free
calls and advanced 3D lane guidance to make junctions simpler to
negotiate.
Hertz customers can also travel without the worry of searching
for an internet connection or paying exorbitant roaming charges by
adding a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot to their rentals. The portable device
lets customers easily link tablets, laptops, smartphones and games
consoles to the web while on the move.
As families prepare to drive to visit relatives and take
holidays this season, Hertz has compiled a list of winter travel
essentials to ensure safe and stress-free journeys.
Hertz's holidays getaway driving checklist
Top 5 causes of car
arguments:
1. Getting lost /
directions
2. Noisy / naughty children
3. Traffic
4. Partner's driving skills
5. Lavatory stops
Before you drive off:
1.
Screen wash – you will use more when it is cold and if there
is salt on the roads, so make sure you have plenty before you set
off. Don't dilute it too much to avoid freezing.
2. Fuel – keep your tank at least a
quarter full in case you get stuck in a traffic jam.
3. Battery – get your battery
checked and replaced, if necessary, as older ones will run down
quickly in the cold and may leave you stranded.
4. Tyres – make sure you have
plenty of tread – 2mm minimum – and avoid reducing tyre pressures
to get more grip as it is ineffective and makes the car harder to
control. Consider snow chains or winter tyres if travelling to
snowy regions.
5. Time – avoid the dangers of
rushing by allowing plenty of time for your journey, including
regular breaks to stay alert.
Top 5 essentials for the
trip:
1. Ice scraper and de-icer to
clear your windscreen
2. Snow shovel, strips of old carpet or
pieces of cardboard, as well as salt or sand to regain traction in
ice and snow
3. Blankets, rugs or sleeping bags for
long traffic jams
4. Battery jump leads – flat batteries are
the most common causes of winter breakdowns
5. Torch and batteries
Top 5 in-car essentials:
1.
Satnav and charger or printed route and map to avoid getting lost
and arguments
2. Entertainment for children to avoid
rows and keep passengers occupied
3. Fully-charged mobile phone and
charger
4. Drinks and snacks in case of delays in
cold weather
5. Warm clothes, coat, scarf, hat and
gloves in case of breakdown or long delays
*1,009 UK respondents in total; 504 of them answered the
family-related questions.
About Hertz
The Hertz Corporation
operates the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly car rental brands
in approximately more than 11,500 corporate and licensee locations
throughout 145 countries in North
America, Europe,
Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle
East and New Zealand. Hertz
is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand with
more than 1,400 airport locations in the U.S. and a presence at
more than 250 international airports. Product and service
initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®,
Carfirmations, Mobile Wi-Fi and unique vehicles offered through the
Adrenaline, Dream, Family, Fun, Green and Prestige Collections set
Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the
vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation,
operates the Hertz 24/7 hourly car rental business and sells
vehicles through its Rent2Buy program. The company also owns Hertz
Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC), one of the largest equipment
rental businesses with more than 340 locations worldwide offering a
diverse line of equipment and tools for rent and sale. HERC
primarily serves the construction, industrial, oil, gas,
entertainment and government sectors. For more information about
Hertz, visit: www.hertz.com.
Hertz Press Contacts
Evelin
Imperatrice
Hertz International
T: +44 1895 553 695
E: eimperatrice@hertz.com
Murray Wardrop
Ketchum
T: +44 (0) 207 611 3596
E: murray.wardrop@ketchum.com
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SOURCE The Hertz Corporation