Petrol, diesel, and electric car drivers have been told to pack three things before getting behind the wheel of their vehicle this weekend, after advice from the RAC. Experts at the breakdown group claimed that water, snacks, and phone chargers were essential items road users had to remember before setting off.
The warning comes after the RAC claimed Saturday could be the “single busiest day for summer traffic”. The start of the school summer holidays means many are heading away on trips, adding to the usual weekend build-up. The hot weather is also expected to play a role, with the Met Office predicting up to 24 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
Nick Mullender, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, stressed the three items were crucial.
He said: “Saturday is expected be the single busiest day for summer traffic with many drivers travelling long distances to get to their holiday destination.
“If a getaway journey involves hours in the car, it’s essential to be well rested and fresh for the trip. If possible, share the driving with another passenger to ensure concentration levels stay high, while those travelling with children should pack plenty of entertainment to keep them occupied and minimise questions of ‘are we there yet?’. Water, snacks and phone chargers are essential!”
According to the RAC, a staggering 2,983,923 leisure trips are expected to be made by car on Saturday, with a further 2,652,376 journeys on Sunday,
However, they are not the only experts to have recently urged road users to stock up on essential food and drink before setting off on long trips.
Paul Green, National Remarketing Manager at Moneybarn, previously explained that road users needed to maximise passenger comfort to avoid issues along the route.
Speaking last year, Paul also stressed that packing water and snacks was crucial in emergency situations.
He explained: “Always have an emergency kit in your car, including bottled water. However, store the water in a bag or a shaded spot away from direct sunlight to prevent reflected light from the plastic bottle causing a fire risk to your car upholstery. Stock up on non-perishable snacks, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and items useful in an emergency.”