Traffic jams can become the scourge of summer holidays. When the kids have broken up from school and the sun's shining, it can seem like everyone is setting off at the same time. The roads soon become gridlocked, and motorists spend hours stuck on the motorway in a hot car.
While it might be preferable to avoid trips altogether during this period, this simply isn't practical. The best option is to try and avoid heavy traffic during the summer holidays. While this might be easier said than done, we have a few tips that might help you to avoid those long tailbacks.
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Why is traffic so bad in the summer?
Summer traffic is primarily driven by people heading off on their holidays. There are around 38.6 million licensed vehicles in Britain, according to the Department for Transport. Most people choose to head off on holidays in the small window between early July and late August.
With the sheer volume of vehicles on the road, it's inevitable there will be congestion. As schools break up towards the end of July, the RAC estimates there will be more than 11 million leisure trips during the first weekend in August alone.
When the traffic is already heavy on motorways and A-roads, traffic jams are likely, but when you add accidents and breakdowns, the tailbacks are likely to get worse. The sight of motorway electronic signs warning only one lane is open, or a 30 mph speed limit ahead, usually means there has been some incident ahead that's causing queues.
The RAC has warned it could be a "perfect storm" this summer, in terms of traffic jams. The hot weather and school holidays, combined with more people choosing staycations in the UK, means there will be millions of vehicles on the roads at the same time, heading for the holiday hotspots.
According to surveys, 45% of Brits are planning a staycation this summer, spurred by a lack of money due to the economic crisis, ongoing flight disruption and fears of going on holiday in Europe due to the conflict in Ukraine. In June, travel operators reported a sudden 30% surge in inquiries about holidays on home turf.
How can you avoid getting stuck in summer traffic?
First, plan ahead to use a quieter route, even if it may take you out of your way slightly. If your motorway journey is a crawl in stop/start traffic, consider taking a more scenic non-motorway route to lift your spirits. Although it might be a longer distance, you'll enjoy being constantly on the move and may even arrive sooner.
If possible, travel at quieter times of the day, such as very early in the morning. The traffic situation is worse at peak times, such as the morning rush hour, when commuters are heading to work. Also avoid travelling between about 4pm and 6pm, when people are driving home from work.
Pay close attention to traffic reports and change routes accordingly if you hear about an accident, roadworks or other causes for congestion on your planned route. This is when a satellite navigation system comes in handy, as you can plan a different route within minutes.
Use any one of a number of apps, such as Google and iPhone maps, to avoid traffic jams. They will show you where you're likely to encounter congestion. Stay safe by checking them only after you've pulled over into a safe place, such as a roadside parking bay or motorway service station.
Finally, make sure you have some in-car entertainment, such as mood-lifting driving CDs, games for the kids and refreshments such as soft drinks, sandwiches and snacks. Even if you do get stuck in an unavoidable traffic jam, it will be less frustrating if you have things to keep young passengers entertained.
