Drivers have been warned to follow a number of tips to avoid frustration on the roads in the build up to Christmas, as motoring authorities warn there could be traffic chaos over the next few days.
According to a study by the RAC and travel analytics organisation INRIX, 29.3 million journeys will take place across the UK’s road network as Christmas Day approaches – more than 14 million of which during Saturday December 21 and Sunday December 22.
Alice Simpson, spokesperson for RAC Breakdown, noted that whilst the worst day for travel, Wednesday December 18, has passed, drivers should still take precautions to avoid long delays.
She advised: “Our research suggests that with Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, many drivers will be squeezing in their getaway trips right up until the big day itself.
“While the getaway starts to ramp up from Friday, ‘Snarl-up Saturday’ looks particularly challenging as does Christmas Eve. Travelling outside peak hours might be the only way drivers miss the worst of the jams.”
With Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday in 2024, the RAC’s report noted that more Brits will be travelling several days before, particularly on December 21, which has been dubbed ‘Snarl-up Saturday’.
To avoid being impacted by traffic, the report urged drivers to avoid a number of popular motorways, particularly the M3 around Surrey and Hampshire, various parts of the M25, and the M1 near Watford.
Drivers should also try to avoid stretches of motorways that run past airports, such as the M25 near Heathrow and M23 near Gatwick, which are set to see increased demand from tourists travelling over the festive period.
In order to keep the roads flowing as smoothly as possible, National Highways has stated that 95 percent of roadworks will be removed over the period.
However, planned rail strikes and engineering works at a number of popular stations, such as Liverpool Street and Paddington, could make more Brits inclined to take their car.
As a result, no matter where they are travelling, motorists should take a number of precautions to avoid long tailbacks causing frustration and delays.
In particular, the RAC and INRIX recommended that drivers understand the best times to travel. On Saturday December 21, motorists should aim to have completed their journey before 1pm, whereas those travelling the following day should set off in the evening.
Various GPS systems, including Google Maps, can also be useful, with live traffic monitoring giving them a realistic estimated time of arrival and putting them on the least congested route possible.
Motorists should also prepare themselves for delays by packing a number of items to help all occupants stay comfortable. These include a spare set of warm clothes, non-perishable snacks, and drinks.
