Parents clock up more than 1,700 miles ferrying offspring

On average, parents are driving more than 1,700 miles each year and spending the equivalent of almost seven days driving their children, and four days waiting to pick them up, according to new research by the insurer Allianz Your Cover.

The research of 1,000 parents also found that 40% are ferrying their children around until they pass their driving test, and19% continue until their children leave home. One in 10 predict they will still be driving their children around until they are well into their thirties and 15% don’t think they will ever stop giving them lifts.

Parents with teenagers aged 13-16 years are driving the furthest weekly distance of nearly 40 miles.

Allianz has calculated that the average annual cost for the ‘family taxi service’ is £7,813.

Jon Lott, Allianz Your Cover Insurance, said: “Mum and dad’s taxi service is getting UK families from A to B and with these trips totalling a mileage close to 2,000 per year, it’s clear families are depending on a regular family taxi service to help manage their busy lifestyles.

“Our research shows there’s little let up for family drivers as the taxi meter doesn’t stop when children grow up. In fact, 22% parents with grown-up children (aged 24 to 30) think dads will keep driving their children around well into their 30s.”

For more information contact Helen Braddock on 0207 781 2375.