Drivers planning to take to the roads this Christmas have been urged to avoid one day which is set to see traffic jams across the country.
With Christmas Day approaching, many families are planning to meet up with loved ones in other parts of the UK, spending several hours behind the wheel in the process.
However, with the AA planning that nearly 24 million vehicles could take to the roads on the Friday before Christmas Day, Max Schmidt, head of the campervan tour operator CamperDays, has urged all motorists to plan their route effectively.
He warned: “London’s annual Christmas exodus is almost upon us, and with millions of residents set to escape the capital for the festive season, the roads are set to be busier than ever, with the AA issuing an amber traffic warning due to record traffic levels.
“Those intending to drive home should plan their route carefully to ensure as efficient a journey as possible. Roads tend to be busiest on the Friday and Saturday before Christmas, with the AA predicting an astounding 23.7 million drivers planning a trip on Friday 20th, so aim to leave early in the morning or late in the evening to beat the rush.”
In the run up to Christmas, the AA has warned that the UK’s road network is set to see the highest number of vehicles travelling since records began in 2010.
Whilst the majority of motorists will be staying local, with the typical journey expected to be around 50 miles, a number of major motorways are still expected to see congestion.
In particular, the AA warned drivers to avoid areas including the M25 around Heathrow Airport, the M5/M6 interchange, and the M4 around Cardiff and Newport.
When travelling over the festive break, Max also recommended that drivers make sure that their car has plenty of fuel for the journey in order to help them avoid breakdowns and save money.
He advised: “It’s important to ensure you have enough fuel given some rural stations may have more limited opening hours over the festive period. If you’re watching the pennies – and who isn’t? – avoid service stations and supermarkets that typically charge more and opt to refuel at nearby petrol stations instead.
“Prices also tend to rise later in the week, closer to weekends and public holidays, so filling up well in advance of Christmas may well help you save some money during an otherwise expensive time.”
Finally, families travelling to see loved ones over Christmas were also urged by Max to pack plenty of items to keep younger passengers occupied.
He continued: “If travelling with children, one of the biggest challenges is keeping them entertained en route, particularly when struggling with traffic delays.
“The easiest way to curb this is by bringing a tablet or console, but for those looking for a more creative solution, why not prepare a checklist for a scavenger hunt along the way? Audiobooks are another great option and can be enjoyed by the whole family. “