1-in-3 hitting the road for half-term holiday
More than nine million motorists are taking to the roads with friends and family next week to make the most of the half term holidays – despite heavy rain and the risk of localised flooding.
Research from the RAC shows a third (31%) of motorists will be using their cars to get away during the last school break before Christmas.
The RAC has been equally preparing for the extra holiday traffic and has issued warnings to motorists travelling in torrential rain and floods.
Flood alerts have already been issued across a number of popular destinations for motorists, including the Lake District, South Wales and the rural parts of the Midlands**.
RAC roadside operations manager Matt Dallaway said: “Motorists across the UK are used to packing up the boot of the car and heading off on their ‘staycations’ no matter what the weather is doing.
“We are seeing such larger traffic volumes this half term as it’s the last one before the festive period and people will want to enjoy some time off before this with their family and friends.
“With some severe weather predicted, potentially including some localised flooding, we recommend drivers plan their journeys carefully and allow plenty of time to get to their destination.
“While most holiday makers do set about preparing their vehicles and routes in plenty of time, we often see an increase in the number of breakdowns from people who perhaps haven’t taken the chance to do a few simple checks to prepare their car.
“Motorists are urged to check vehicle’s oil, coolant and windscreen wash levels and tyres and use services such as the RAC’s traffic line to help you make good decisions about any necessary alternative routes ahead of time.”
To help plan your journey visit www.rac.co.uk to use the RAC Route Plannerand get the latest traffic news. You can also download the free RAC Traffic app which gives the most up to date road information available including incidents and on-going roadworks.
Alternatively, you can use the RAC traffic line by calling 64644 from a mobile phone or 09003 444999 from a landline.
This provides:
- Traffic information for any road in Great Britain
- Traffic information for the local area, with the added benefit of detecting your current position from your mobile phone
- A five-day weather forecast
The RAC recommends that you use its traffic line 64644 to plan your journey before you depart. Always remember to park safely before using the 64644 service, or use a suitable hands-free device.
