PACKING YOUR CAR FOR HOLIDAY

Packing the car and setting off on holiday can be a chaotic experience for many UK holidaymakers. A recent survey of more than 1,000 UK drivers by Toyota shows that almost one in 10 (9 per cent) have had to turn back because they've forgotten something every time they've gone on holiday. A further 42 per cent admit they've sometimes had to turn back.

Younger drivers seem more likely to forget something, as 17 per cent of 25 to 34-year-old drivers said they've had to turn back every time, compared with only three per cent of the over-55s. More than half of those surveyed admit they forget things they want to take on holiday, and items most likely to be left at home are:

* Sunglasses (31 per cent), with 25 to 34-year-olds most likely to forget them (45 per cent)

* Beachwear (14 per cent)

* Underwear (13 per cent)

* Shoes (12 per cent)

* Money (9 per cent)

* Mobile phone (8 per cent)



The Toyota survey also highlights a lack of organisation when it comes to holiday packing, as only 32 per cent of survey respondents said they make a list of what they want to take.

Despite the fact that items are often left behind, over-packing is a common problem which could impact on driving safety: 30 per cent said they either always or sometimes have poor, or no visibility through the rear or side windows. Notably, 44 per cent of people aged 18-24 said they often can't see out of rear or side windows. In addition, recommended pre-journey safety checks are ...