- Survey from YourTango.com, collaborating with Ford, shows couples use road trips for “quality time” that allows them to reconnect
- Survey also shows most couples have a “back-seat driver” in the relationship, helping the real driver negotiate the road
- Ford is ready to meet the needs and desires of today’s travelers with sleek, stylish Fusion – it lets drivers bring fun and comfort to the road
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 26, 2012 – Taking a road trip with your significant other? Chances
are good the time together will improve your relationship.
In fact, 91 percent of couples have
taken road trips together, and 84 percent agree the experience has strengthened
their relationship, according to a new survey of more than 1,000 couples
released by YourTango.com collaborating with Ford Motor Company.
YourTango.com, the digital leader in
love and relationships, found other interesting relationship tidbits in its
survey, as well. For instance, plenty of couples have a “back-seat driver” on
board who “helps” the real driver negotiate the road:
- 32 percent tell the driver they’re driving too fast
- 27 percent tell them they’re going the wrong way
- 22 percent tell them they’re not paying enough attention to their surroundings/traffic
- 15 percent chide them for driving too slowly
After guiding the driver, the second
most popular back-seat driving technique involves physical actions like holding
the dashboard or pressing an invisible brake. In third place comes gasping and
making other sounds of fright.
Finding quality time
Togetherness on the road presents an
opportunity for quality time among couples in all sorts of ways.
Sixty-three percent of respondents
agree or strongly agree they are affectionate with their partner while driving;
they hold hands or share a kiss at a red light. Fifty-seven percent say driving
is a good time to discuss important topics with their spouse or partner.
In fact, respondents said their
three favorite ways to pass the time are:
- Talking and catching up with each other (63 percent)
- Blasting our favorite music (60 percent)
- Getting some quiet time and taking in the sights (37 percent)
“We were excited to learn Ford is
eager to provide couples a space to communicate and enjoy quality time together
on the road ‒ such an insightful, worthwhile objective,” says YourTango CEO
Andrea Miller. “With so many couples struggling with stress and looking for
ways to stay connected, we can now offer a new, easy answer: Try going on a
road trip!”
The responses to the survey were
gratifying to Ford.
“Ford has always believed that
getting there is more than half the fun; that’s why we’re so excited about the
new Fusion,” said Samantha Hoyt, Ford Fusion Marketing manager. “With its sleek
styling, comfortable interior and customer-centered technology, it’s all about
taking those good times on the road.”
Comfort is definitely a factor,
agree YourTango respondents. Seventy-three percent say a car’s interior affects
their level of comfort on the road; 42 percent say the noises their car makes
affects their driving experience; and 77 percent say an upgrade to the features
of their vehicle would improve their togetherness in the car.
Additional survey findings include:
- 56 percent say the best driving conversations focus on the present – sights, news, other drivers, followed by 19 percent who say the best discussions involve the future: marriage, kids, home buying, etc.
- 35 percent of couples surveyed have been on eight or more road trips together
- 68 percent describe their road trips as “fun-filled” or “relaxing”
Survey details and additional
insights are available on YourTango.com/LoveOnTheRoad.
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