Christmas pressies that make us sick

As more than 2.3 million Brits have either received or given in-car entertainment and technology systems such as DVD players and Sat Nav's this Christmas, could the nation be heading for car sick chaos?

A new scientific study, entitled ‘Motors in Motion', by esure car insurance and Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) reveals that far from keeping motorists focused and restless passengers entertained, digital devices increase the likelihood of carsickness by creating a conflicting sense of balance - just like reading books or maps in moving cars.

The motion sensed by the eyes gives the impression that watching a small display with moving images is in fact not moving; however it is the organs of balance in the inner ear which indicate that they are moving. This combined with the motion of a moving and braking car creates a highly unnatural feeling for humans that ‘tricks' the brain into reacting as if poisoning has occurred. Motion sickness is thought to be the result of a mechanism that evolved to rid the body of poison - even though none are present.

With around 40 per cent of the population affected by carsickness, esure teamed up with TRL to see what causes so many people to suffer from motion sickness and what the best preventative methods are. Feeling unwell at the wheel can affect a motorist's concentration and sick passengers are a distraction for those driving - both could increase the likelihood of accidents on British roads.

Unfortunately it's bad news for parents looking for peace at the wheel. The report reveals that a third (33 per cent) of Brits have vomited in a car by the time they reach the age of 12. This age group is highly susceptible to carsickness and is also likely to be the largest users of in-car entertainment devices.

Worse still is that the ‘Motors in Motion' report also reveals that traditional games, long considered ‘remedies' for carsickness requiring children to watch objects in the passing scenery such as I Spy, Count the Cows and Spot the Car, may actually make things worse. This is due to the fact that carsickness tends to be greater when the head is free to move, whereas a stable head position reduces its likelihood.

This means that restless, fidgety kids and impatient passengers in the backseat are the most likely to suffer as maintaining a fixed head position and an unobstructed forward view are the best way to avoid the sense of carsickness.

With 37 per cent of those polled already owning a Sat Nav system and a further 11 per cent having either received one or given one as a gift this Christmas, it is bad news for the driver as well, with the report showing that it is not just the passenger at risk from ‘modern technology motion sickness'. Drivers using satellite navigation systems are also more susceptible to motion sickness due to increased head movement.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance comments: "As well as being an inconvenience, carsickness can be dangerous especially if it causes the driver to avert their attention away from the road. With handheld games and in-car gadgetry being popular gifts this Christmas, motorists should be aware of potential ‘side-effects' of in-car entertainment.

"Drivers and passengers need to understand what steps to take to prevent carsickness in order to make their journeys more pleasant and the roads safer."

Dr Cyriel Diels, Human Factors researcher at TRL added: "Parents will often spend a large amount of money on in-car entertainment items such as hand-held consoles and DVD players to make long journeys more endurable. Yet it is these items that actually increase the risk of carsickness. Parents should be aware of this, especially if their children are prone to car sickness.

"The best advice is to try and prevent it from happening in the first place by following some simple steps. However, if you do begin to feel sick, it's best to focus on the horizon, breath slowly and deeply, and if possible, take a break from your journey, as remedies such as acupressure bands, sucking a sweet and opening car windows just won't work."

Key findings from the ‘Motors in Motion' report:

In-vehicle entertainment systems increase the likelihood of carsickness

A third (33 per cent) of people have vomited in cars by the time they reach the age of 12; making children aged 2 to 12 most susceptible to suffering. This age group is also the largest user of in-car entertainment devices

Common ‘remedies' such as opening the window for fresh air, acupressure bands, use of root ginger or even the old classic of ‘sucking a sweet' are all unproven solutions

A smooth driving style not only reduces fuel consumption but reduces the likelihood of carsickness

Practical tips to prevent passengers from feeling carsick:

The leading recommendation for avoiding in-car queasiness is to maintain a clear view of the road ahead. If possible, sit in the front seat and look forward at the horizon rather than sideways. If there isn't a clear view of the road, it is advisable for passengers to keep their eyes closed

Allow small children on the rear seats a good view by raising the height of the child and find a position where the forward view is not obstructed by a seat or a head restraint

Some sufferers may find it beneficial to wear sunglasses as they reduce visual stimulation

Avoid games that require passengers to look inside the car, such as hand-held video consoles, especially with children who are particularly susceptible to motion sickness

Never travel on an empty stomach, but avoid heavy meals before travelling and stay clear of nauseating foods such as sweets, fatty or spicy foods and sour fruits

Storytelling, question-and-answer games, listening to audio books or having a sing-along are all effective methods of keeping passengers entertained rather than nauseous. Avoid reading and writing

Driving on fairly straight roads and avoiding windy roads will reduce the risk of motion sickness, so it's advisable to choose a route of motorways and dual carriageways where possible. Take regular breaks throughout the journey

Avoid aggressive driving, such as excessive acceleration, braking and cornering, as this triggers nausea - particularly for rear-seat passengers. Maintain a smooth driving style

Avoid travelling at high temperatures. Make sure the air conditioning is set to a comfortable temperature

Fresh air itself is not sufficient to prevent motion sickness, but the provision of good ventilation can make people feel more comfortable so open the windows

Controlled regular breathing can help to increase motion tolerance