Ahead of the Christmas break, the AA has issued a warning to drivers to help them avoid the busiest periods on the road.
According to figures, a record 23.7 million drivers are expected to hit the roads on Friday 20th December – the highest number on record since the AA started collecting data in 2010.
However, the slightly better news is that most drivers are staying local this Christmas and travelling less than 50 miles according to the new AA survey.
Whilst Friday 20th December is expected to be the busiest day on the roads, around three fifths of drivers (58%) will be keeping it local and travelling less than 50 miles, with only 7% expect to travel up to 100 miles, with just 1% expecting to drive over 400 miles.
The second busiest days are expected to be Saturday 21st and Monday 23rd December, with 67% (22.7 million) of drivers out and about. Due to the volume of congestion predicted for these days, amber warnings have been issued for these dates.
However, with the roads being busy, people rushing to get to arrangements on time and bad weather thrown into the mix, it is crucial that drivers stay safe on the road. Every year, there are devastating stories of fatal car accidents over the Christmas period, often caused by drunk or reckless drivers – and this needs to change.
Rob Crompton, Head of Personal Injury at Oakwood Solicitors Ltd said:
“At this time of year, people are often full of Christmas cheer. Unfortunately, many people take to the wheel when they are full of Christmas spirit too.
“With the increased drink and also drug driving at this time of year, coupled with the usual wet, greasy or even icy weather conditions that we get, there is an inevitable increase in the volume of road Traffic Accidents that occur.
“Do us all a favour, and get a taxi to avoid these avoidable accidents that happen every year.”
Traffic hotspots
Some of the hotspots to look out for are likely to include the M25; the M6 around the Birmingham area and further north towards the North West. The M4 out of London towards Bristol and further out towards South Wales is also likely to be very busy.
Friday
- M4/M5 interchange
- M3/M25 interchange
- M25 around Heathrow Airport
- M5/M6 interchange
- M6 J4-11 (M42-Wolverhampton)
- M27 J14-13 (Southampton to Portsmouth)
- M4 around Cardiff and Newport
- A38 in Somerset
- A34 Oxford to Newbury
Saturday
- M1 around Meadowhall
- M25 around Bluewater
- M60 around the Trafford Centre
- A34 Oxford to Newbury
Monday
- M1 J10-15a (Luton to Northampton)
- M42 J3A-J8 (M40 to M6 interchanges)
- A64 around York
- A303 around Stonehenge
- M5 J16-25 (Bristol to Taunton)
- A34 Oxford to Newbury
Christmas breakdowns
Although it’s by far the quietest day of the year for car breakdowns, AA patrols across the country will be working on Christmas Day to rescue those in trouble. In 2023, they came to the aid of over 2,400 members on Christmas Day.
However, experts have said that each year there are avoidable breakdowns cause additional traffic on the roads.
Below we look at some checks you should carry out if you are heading out in your car this Christmas.
1) Tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressures are essential to making sure that your car can brake, grip and steer properly. Even just one over- or under-inflated tyre can have a big impact on how your car drives.
Many modern cars feature a tyre pressure monitoring system that alerts you if the pressure is incorrect. If your car doesn’t have this, use a tyre pressure gauge to check the level in each tyre before you set off on a long journey. You can find the right tyre pressure for your car in your handbook and usually on a panel just inside the driver’s door.
Topping up with more air at your local garage is easy, with most pumps allowing you to set the required pressure first.
2) Windscreen wipers and screenwash
Driving with a dirty or smeared windscreen can be dangerous. Check your windscreen wipers for wear and replace them if needed. Don’t forget to make sure your screenwash is topped up sufficiently so you can keep your windscreen clean throughout your journey.
Also, look out for any chips or cracks in your windscreen. If you find one, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. If ignored, small, easily repaired flaws can grow rapidly into big problems.
3) Lights
Fully functioning lights are essential for safe travel, not just so you can see clearly but also so that other road users can see you and know your intentions. Before a long journey is a good time to check your headlights, indicators and brake lights.
You’ll need a helper for this since you can’t see any problems from inside your car. Have the helper stand at the front of the car while you turn on each of the lights in succession – main beam headlights, dipped beam and indicators.
Then have the helper stand behind the car while you apply the brakes and select reverse gear (with your foot on the clutch if it’s a manual) to check the brake lights and reversing light. You might be able to replace any faulty bulbs yourself but it’s more likely to be a quick, low-cost job at a garage.
4) Oil level
Oil is absolutely vital in keeping your car’s engine running smoothly. Running low on oil could cause costly damage or leave you stranded – which is the last thing you want when you’re a long way from home.
Traditionally, every car came with a dipstick to allow you to check the oil level yourself. Many modern cars no longer have dipsticks and instead, use the car’s computer to monitor the oil level and display it on the dashboard.
You should check your car’s handbook to see if this is the case for you. If your car doesn’t automatically alert you when your oil is low, use a dipstick to check that it hasn’t gone below the minimum level and top it up before your drive. Be careful not to put in too much oil, since that’s also not good for the engine.
5) Engine coolant
Coolant keeps your car’s engine healthy by regulating the temperature of the cooling system. Many newer cars have a closed cooling system which means they don’t need topping up.
With older cars, you may need to check the level of coolant yourself and top it up if necessary. You can see the fluid level in a reservoir in the engine bay. If it’s close to, or below, the marker for the minimum level, you’ll need a refill.
6) Tyre tread depth
Worn tyres can seriously affect your car’s handling, braking and safety as a whole. Before a long journey, check that your tyre treads have a minimum depth of 1.6mm across the central three quarters where it hits the road using a measuring gauge.
If your tread has worn down to between 1.6mm and 3mm in depth, consider replacing your tyres before your trip.
If you don’t have a measuring gauge, the raised outer edge of a 20p coin measures 2.5mm across, so it’s easy to get an idea of how deep the tread is on your tyre by slotting a 20p coin into it.
7) Fuel level
Most people are keen to get on the road and make good progress but filling up with a tank of fuel at or near the start of your journey could save you time (and reduce stress) later on.
Knowing that you’ve got a full tank gives you peace of mind and could stop you having to drive around an unfamiliar location towards the end of your journey, desperately hunting for a fuel station.
If you have a plug-in hybrid or electric car, make sure it’s fully charged before setting off. Some also allow you to set a timer to pre-cool or pre-heat the car while it’s charging. It’s worth doing this because it reduces the amount of battery power you use once you start moving.
8) Emergency supplies
Pack anything that may be useful in an emergency if you were to break down. A red warning triangle is highly recommended in order to alert other drivers of your presence. It’s always worth keeping some spare clothes and snacks in the car in case you get stuck somewhere for a while.
Further reading
Driver and passenger claims – Oakwood Solicitors
Road safety statistics – GOV.UK
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Rob Crompton joined Oakwood Solicitors in July 2007 as a Road Traffic Accident Paralegal Fee Earner. Rob has progressed through the organisation and holds the current position of Head of Personal Inj…
