The busiest days on the roads has been revealed as millions of drivers are expected to travel to see family and friends for the festivities and finish their Christmas shopping.
It is thought that 31 million people will travel over the festive period from Thursday, December 19 until January 2. It turns out that today will see the largest number of vehicles on our roads, according to new research from Confused.com.
And if you’ve not finished your shopping, it might be wise to avoid it on Saturday, December 21, as that is when most people will rush to the shops to get last-minute gifts which could cause traffic jams.
The study also showed that the busiest times on the roads over the Christmas and New Year holidays will be between 8am and midday.
In total, three in four UK drivers are expected to drive between December 19 and January 2 this year. This is the equivalent of more than 31 million cars on the road. And a staggering 87 percent will be heading out on December 19.
For almost one in two (47 percent) of drivers, this will be for their daily commute. However, 20 percent expect to take this day to visit family, or head out for some shopping (18 percent).
Over the weekend, 84 percent, or almost 27 million motorists are expected to be on the roads on Saturday, and 79 percent on Sunday.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Christmas Day is likely to be the quietest. However, it’s still expected to be busy, with 56 percent of those driving over the festive period taking to the road on this day. More than half (55 percent) of these drivers will be visiting family. While more than one in 10 (11 percent) will be heading to work, a restaurant, or visiting friends.
Saturday, December 21, could see drivers faced with lengthy queues and problems parking, as research shows that is the most popular day for people rushing to finish their shopping. Of those driving on Saturday, one in four plan to head to the shops – more so than any other day.
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If you’re looking for a quieter time to hit the retail parks, then Sunday might be the better option. That’s as only 16 percent of those driving that day plan on shopping.
With commuters still having to travel to offices, the danger times on the roads are between 8am and midday on weekdays. However, even over the weekend and bank holidays, more cars are expected on the road during this period than any other time of day.
This is with the exception of Boxing Day, where just as many people plan to drive between 3pm and 6pm, as they do earlier in the day.
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The advice is, If you aren’t in a rush, consider heading out at quieter times if you can. This will be generally before 8am, or after 6pm, according to experts.
It’s also been established that motorists will travel as far as 68 miles in a round trip, on average when they venture out. However, for some, it can be further. More than 26 percent of motorists will be travelling 82 miles in one trip, while one in 10 will be doing a 200 mile round trip at some point.
It means drivers are being urged to prepare for their journeys and for the weather. Warnings of snow have already been issued by the Met Office so it’s crucial your car is prepped for all eventualities.
Be prepared for icy roads and low temperatures and frosty windscreens.
How to prepare for Christmas driving
Check your tyres – The minimum legal limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm, but at least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter driving. This will ensure you have enough grip on your car to withstand harsher road conditions.
Check your visibility before you set off – Make sure all windows and windscreens are properly de-iced and condensation-free before you set off. Having any condensation or ice on your windscreen can compromise your visibility and increase the risk of accidents. The police can also stop you if they think your visibility is obstructed.
Check your lights – Make sure your lights are in good condition – especially your fog and dipped headlights. These will be crucial for driving in darker conditions.
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.comsaid:“Driving around to see friends and family, heading to celebrations or squeezing in some last minute shopping is all part of the festive experience. But it’s also a very busy time on the roads too.
“If your plans are flexible, then considering travelling on a different day or different time will mean you could miss the worst of the traffic.
“You should also ensure you’re prepared. Make sure you have enough fuel and your tyres are in good condition. Also, stock up on all the things you might need to tackle the cold weather. This should reduce your chances of having to make any unnecessary stops.
“Being prepared and planning ahead will make your journey that little bit easier and promise a better start to your festive plans!”
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