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Drivers want to get out to see family as lockdown restrictions ease

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Time 11:17 am, July 10, 2020

Day trips and visiting family are top of the agenda for the nation’s drivers as they look to get back out on the road this summer.

In a survey of 18,000 drivers, the AA found that 45 per cent plan to see more of their family from outside their household as travel restrictions are loosened around the country.

Some 40 per cent are eager for more day trips to enjoy outdoors activity while 22 per cent want to simply enjoy days out with their households.


Many cars have been neglected during the lockdown – not helped by the fact millions of motorists have been handed six month extensions on their MOTs.

The annual basic roadworthiness checks are failed by almost a third of cars every year, so the AA is expecting breakdowns to rise this summer as a result.

However, as it launches a funky new TV ad campaign featuring Tukker the dog, the AA is promising to be there if drivers need them.


Pledging to get motorists who may have neglected their cars back on the road, the advert features Tukker enjoying some wind in the fur thrills in the comfort of his own home.  

AA president Edmund King said: ‘The chancellor wants to see the nation back out in shops, restaurants and boost tourism and the AA is saying drivers can do that without fear of breaking down, as we’ll be there if they need us.

‘After months of restricted movement, it’s no surprise that many motorists have been looking to recapture the exhilarating feeling of a road trip. 

‘Almost half of drivers will be travelling to see family and friends. They can look forward to that feeling of wind in the hair thrills – just as Tukker in our new advert is enjoying – as they get back out on the open road.’

Respondents were also polled on where they had visited when England’s lockdown restrictions began to ease and some shops reopened in June. 

One third said they had visited a DIY shop or garden centre (34 per cent), three in 10 had been to see a friend or relative (30 per cent), and one fifth had driven to a location for exercise (22 per cent).

A further 15 per cent reported they had travelled to visit friends in an outdoor area and seven per cent had driven to an activity such as golf, fishing and boating.

The new advert – made by the same people behind the John Lewis Christmas adverts – airs on Monday, and you can watch it at the top of this page.

James Batchelor's avatar

James – or Batch as he’s known – started at Car Dealer in 2010, first as the work experience boy, eventually becoming editor in 2013. He worked for Auto Express as editor-at-large and was the face of Carbuyer’s YouTube reviews. In 2020, he went freelance and now writes for a number of national titles and contributes regularly to Car Dealer. In October 2021 he became Car Dealer's associate editor.



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