With the summer half-term break now underway, families across the UK are embarking on road trips to get away from it all, but many may find the journey to reach their destination is fraught with stress.

As a result, new research carried out by Vauxhall Motors has aimed to highlight the most common methods employed by parents to keep children happy on long journeys, as well as the biggest headaches.

Overall, the research showed that 93 per cent of five to 18-year-olds will keep themselves entertained on long trips by using their mobile phone or other portable devices. However, 87 per cent of parents prefer to have the whole family interact on road trips and not to allow the latest technologies to interfere with building happy memories.

As such, the top non-technological games families embark on when faced with a long journey include I-Spy, 'next one to see', spotting different car brands, waving at other drivers, the registration plate alphabet, car snooker, reciting times tables, playing cards, number plate cricket and Eddie Stobart truck bingo.

However, keeping children happy can be a difficult task and therefore the research also highlighted those annoyances that parents find it hardest to deal with.

More than half (52 per cent) of respondents said siblings fighting in the back was their biggest bugbear, while other annoying behaviours included constant requests of 'are we there yet?' (45 per cent), having to make multiple stops for the bathroom (39 per cent), car sickness (33 per cent) and demands for music to be changed (22 per cent).

Keeping kids entertained can be a nightmare on longer journeys, but with a little planning and imagination, family road trips can be among the best memories kids and adults alike can have.

Take the time to pack plenty of snacks of toys and enjoy the time spent as a family, remembering that taking regular breaks should also be an essential part of any long journey and this can also represent a chance to get everyone out of the car to enjoy some fresh air and to blow off steam.

Chairman and managing director Vauxhall Motors Tim Tozer stated: "Family road trips to the seaside or visiting family remain a staple part of British life."

He added that the introduction of new technologies over recent years, such as satellite navigation, has helped to make these journeys less stressful for mums and dads.

This is something the manufacturer continues to endeavour towards, with its research forming a part of the new Vauxhall and I campaign, which aims to celebrate the connection between families and the important role that car journeys play in building happy childhood memories.

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Posted by Clare Lafferty, Account Manager, The Fuelcard People.