There are set to be congested roads this weekend, with nearly 18m getaway trips planned, RAC Breakdown data has revealed.
A combination of schools breaking up for half-term and the upcoming Jubilee bank holiday weekend means there are expected to be 17.8m leisure trips taken.
Looking at the travel plans of 1,425 UK drivers, the RAC is anticipating the motorways and major A-roads to be at their busiest on Saturday, when there are estimated to be 4.6m trips. There will be another 4m trips on both Friday and Sunday, while an extra 5.3m are anticipated between Friday to Sunday.
INRIX data has suggested there could be delays on the M1 southbound between J16 and J6 on Friday evening, while the M25 anticlockwise between J17 and J12 could pose similar issues on Saturday morning. On Sunday afternoon, it’s the A720 west between the A1 and the M60 clockwise between J7 and J18 that could be a source of delays.
RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: “All eyes might be turning to the long Jubilee bank holiday just a week away, but before then we have the start of half-term which will no doubt see major routes to holiday destinations start to clog up. Drivers can beat the worst of the queues by planning the time of their trips carefully – an early start is always best or, failing that, driving at dusk if that’s a feasible option.”
“Motorists can cut the chances of becoming a breakdown statistic by completing some quick pre-journey checks – check your oil and coolant levels, the latter is especially important if the weather warms up, ensure your tyres have plenty of tread and are inflated to the correct pressures, and top up your screenwash. If you’re making a longer drive, keep yourself alert and everyone in your vehicle comfortable by planning in regular breaks.”
Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said: “Even with fuel prices continuing to rise, we still expect travellers to hit the road during the half-term break. Drivers should expect congestion on major roads around big cities and popular destinations. Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic.”
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Image courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto
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