DVDs reduce stress of trips

London: Forget “I spy” and counting lorries - the new way to while away long car trips is to watch a DVD. Shops have reported rocketing sales for in-car DVD players as parents take action to stop kids asking: “Are we nearly there yet?”

The gadgets can be powered by car cigarette lighters. Some have remote controls and come with headphones, so they don’t disturb other passengers. Research has showed that kids’ endless chatter drives parents around the bend. A psychologist said that questions repeated over and over again “can have the same irritating and grating effect as the constant drip of a leaking tap”. — Agencies