We prefer to go on holiday by car, on weekdays we'd rather choose another alternative

Vehicle ownership gives us more freedom, it’s practical and predictable. - During the summer vacation, everyone who can sets off to a journey to have a rest, either domestically or abroad. According to a large sample survey conducted by Magyar Suzuki , 95.58% of respondents prefer to go on holiday by car. Seven out of ten people have not changed their previous travel habits: they stick to their own vehicle. They believe that it gives them ultimate freedom, it’s practical, but driving is also a fun activity, while providing a safe and predictable solution at the same time.

The cost increases of the past one and a half year are having their impact on summer holidays for the first time this year. We consider where we want to go, for how long, and by what means of transportation. The responses to Magyar Suzuki’s survey show that 95.58% of respondents choose to go on vacation by car because it gives them freedom (33.48%), it’s practical (for luggage and pets - 31.63%), driving is a fun activity (20.79%), it’s safe (4.98%), we get to choose who we travel with (4.52%), it is cost-effective (3.85%) and predictable (0.75%), for example we are not subject to flight cancellations.

Rising costs are discouraging

Seven out of ten people still go on holiday by car. At the same time, 27% of respondents have changed their travel habits. 16.86% of those who have changed their habits use their car less on weekdays and more on holidays, 8.97% still use their car on vacation but less often abroad, and only 1.6% say that they won’t travel by car to a destination beyond national borders. Those who choose not to go on holiday by car, decide so for reasons such as increased costs, gasoline prices (39.89%), unsatisfactory vehicle condition (36.75%), or comfort (e.g.: finding long distance driving tiring, 13.89%).

Best practices for keeping kids busy

According to the statistics of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), most traffic accidents occur in the summer, which is understandable since more people use cars and traffic is often congested on certain stretches of road and at certain times of the week (Friday to Sunday). In addition, the heat puts more strain on the body, which also affects concentration, and cars in poor technical condition are also rises the risk of accidents.
Magyar Suzuki's research shows that six out of ten people drives happily for over three hours, and the majority (68.20%) would take spontaneous rest stops due to fatigue, while 16.91% of respondents will make a planned stop. However, there are factors such as the weather (32.97%), darkness (21.93%) or even fatigue (5.68%) which can be discouraging from long distance drives. In many families, it takes organization and great care to keep children busy in the car for such a trip: the electronic devices (24.17%), audiobooks (15.45%) and storytelling (14.81%) are the three most common practices used by the parents.

Drivers prefer to have their car checked before a longer journey

The good news is that not only do we spend time on trip organization and packing, we also pay attention to our car’s condition before a long trip: the majority of people surveyed do not set off without having the technical condition of their car checked (67.64%), but only half of the more careful ones take their car to a specialist. More than 38% check the technical condition of their car themselves.

"For more than 100 years, our Group has focused on creating products that meet the needs of our customers. As a car manufacturer, we pay particular attention to safety, but this alone is not enough. Responsible behavior by drivers and all road users is also essential to ensure that everyone feels safe on the roads. Summer is also about relaxation, rest and recreation, but it is important to be careful when getting behind the wheel during the holidays. It's important to keep our vehicles in good condition, so be sure to have them checked by a professional on a regular basis. It is also worth thinking about the circumstances that may affect our driving skills. In addition to mental and physical fatigue, we should also consider whether we have the necessary routine to handle increased traffic with confidence. - said Zsuzsanna Bonnár-Csonka, Head of Corporate Communications of Magyar Suzuki Corporation.