Five million leisure journeys by car are expected to take place Monday, as UK drivers seek to make the most of the last public holiday until Christmas.
That means nearly 22% more vehicles will be on the road compared to the same travel period last year. In total, more than 18 million separate getaways by road are planned between Thursday 24 August and the bank holiday itself, according to research of drivers’ travel intentions conducted by the RAC. Traffic is expected to peak on Monday, but Saturday is also expected to be a popular day for travelling by road.
“While summer appears to have taken a leave of absence for many of us, our figures suggest drivers are undeterred and are still keen to make the most of the long weekend to spend time with friends and family in the UK,” said RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis. “We recommend motorists wanting to beat the queues travel outside peak times – so avoid Friday afternoon and evening if you can and try to get away in good time if you are planning a day trip on Monday, or face a long journey home at the end of a summer holiday.
“It only takes a single breakdown on a congested road to cause real disruption, so we also advise drivers to complete some quick, basic checks that can reduce the chances of their vehicle being the culprit. Make sure your tyres are in good condition and are properly inflated, and check your oil, coolant and screenwash are all at the right levels. Don’t forget to fully charge a few mobile phones before you set out too so you can reach help should you need it.”
Highways England will lift around 450 miles of roadworks, leaving 98% of the nation’s motorways and major A-roads roadwork-free, and helping to ease the flow of traffic on some of the country’s busiest stretches.
