Scots fathers clock up most 'family taxi' miles

SCOTTISH fathers travel the furthest in the UK ferrying their children around, it was revealed yesterday.

A new study shows the average Scottish father will clock up 46 miles a week in the car running their children to and from school, extra-curricular activities, friends' houses and childcare. They travel 2,377 miles every year and a staggering 28,524 miles before their children are able to get behind the wheel themselves.

The researchers found fathers who act as the family taxi have little time to themselves – with one-fifth enjoying less than an hour of relaxation a day.

Three-quarters of those polled fall into the TBBBs (Too Busy with Ballet and Brownies) category and say they have no other interests outside work and family.

And when it is time to unwind, more than 60 per cent lack the energy for a night out, preferring to surf the web instead.

Harriet Knight, brand manager for Grant's whisky and spokesperson for the Grant's After Hours Club, which conducted the poll of 2,000 fathers, said: "It would appear dads spend most evenings ferrying their children round from one event to another and are in desperate need for 'he time'."

The study found fathers travel nine miles a week for the school run, five miles collecting the children from the babysitter, and eight miles going to sports clubs.

The average Scottish child is ferried round to friends' houses and parties – another nine miles a week – and for those who have a part-time job, dad is responsible for the seven mile round trip.

Knight said 68 per cent of fathers claimed they wanted more time to pursue their hobbies and interests.