As we head into the festive season and millions of people across the UK take to the roads to visit family, finish last-minute shopping or travel to work, road safety becomes even more important.
Slow down, plan ahead and stay safe this Christmas.
This year is shaping up to be the busiest festive period on UK roads ever recorded, with more than 37 million leisure journeys planned in the week leading up to Christmas Day, traffic levels are expected to peak at several points.
The busiest period is expected to be the few days from Friday 19th December, when schools break up and many finish for the holidays, and Christmas Eve.
In fact, Friday 19 December alone is forecast to see over 24 million cars on the road, making it one of the busiest driving days of the entire year. Saturday 20 December and Christmas Eve are close behind, with congestion expected on major motorways, city ring roads and retail hotspots nationwide.
Busy Roads, Focused Minds
For many drivers, especially those used to regular driving or fleet work, heavy traffic and long delays are nothing new. But during the festive period, roads are shared with people who may not drive as often, are travelling unfamiliar routes, or are feeling the pressure of tight schedules and Christmas deadlines.
Add shorter daylight hours, winter weather and packed vehicles into the mix, and the risk increases further. Which is why it’s so important to remove the rush from your journey wherever possible.
Leaving earlier, allowing more time than usual and accepting that delays are likely can significantly reduce stress and help everyone arrive safely.
Traffic analysts are warning that delays of 30 minutes or more are likely on some major routes at peak times, particularly on the afternoon of Friday 19 December and between 11am and 7pm on Saturday 20 December and Christmas Eve.
Drivers staying closer to home won’t necessarily avoid congestion either. With most people planning journeys of less than 50 miles, bottlenecks are expected around motorway interchanges, shopping centres and key urban routes.
There’s also additional disruption to be aware of, including a full closure of the M27 between Junctions 9 and 11 from Christmas Eve through to early January, which will affect travel between Southampton and Portsmouth.
Simple Road Safety Steps Make A Big Difference
With so many vehicles on the road, preparation matters more than ever, especially over the busy Christmas and New Year period.
Before setting off, ensure you:
- Check your tyres, lights and brakes
- Clear all ice and condensation fully before driving
- Make sure you’re well-rested and alert
- Allow extra stopping distance in wet, icy or slow-moving traffic
If you’re driving for extended periods, take regular breaks and avoid the temptation to “push on” just to make up time. Fifteen minutes’ rest every two hours can make all the difference.
And if you’re leaving your car parked over the festive period, starting it every few days can help ensure it’s ready when January arrives.
Christmas is one of the few times of year when the whole country seems to be on the move at once. Delays are inevitable, queues are likely, and plans may change.
But getting there safely is far more important than getting there quickly.
So this Christmas, remember… it’s not a race. Take your time, look out for one another on the roads, and give yourself the best chance of arriving calm, safe and ready to enjoy the festivities.
Have a safe, restful and Merry Christmas.
