One in four motorists planning Easter getaway

More than seven million motorists are gearing up for a getaway in the UK or Europe this Easter, making the roads the busiest they have been since Christmas and New Year.

A new study* conducted by the RAC, Britain’s longest-running motoring organisation, reveals that 25% of drivers are planning a short break over the four-day bank holiday weekend. As a result the breakdown expert is getting ready for a ‘roads rush’ by scheduling an extra 10% patrol hours on Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April.

For some, the appeal of warmer, sunnier weather on the continent is the biggest draw, with nearly a million (864,000)** motorists planning a long weekend getaway in Europe, while others are simply taking the opportunity to visit family and friends or to enjoy a few days away from home.

RAC roadside operations manager Matt Dallaway says: “With as many as 25% of the UK’s 28.8 million*** car owners planning day trips or an Easter getaway, we are gearing up our patrols to deal with the inevitable increase in breakdowns amid greater congestion on the roads.

“With British spring looking far more like winter some people are clearly looking to take advantage of the long weekend to enjoy some sunshine abroad. Others will be keen to spend Easter with friends and family, which is bound to make the roads far busier than normal at the weekend and later again on Easter Monday when many head for home.”

As well as preparing for the increased volume of traffic on the motorways this weekend the RAC is also closely monitoring weather reports following the bad weather which has caused disruption to large parts of the UK.

The RAC is advising motorists to listen to the weather forecast before making any long journeys and to ensure they are ready for adverse conditions on the road by travelling with emergency motoring essentials such as a first aid kit, a reflective warning sign, an ice scraper and a torch. If snow is forecast then make sure you have warm clothes, blankets, boots, food and a warm drink. Visit the RAC shop – www.racshop.co.uk – for all your motoring needs where you will find everything from satnavs to snow chains as well as European driving travel kits.

Dallaway adds: “Remember – if the weather takes a turn for the worse consider whether you can postpone your journey until conditions improve. If you must drive then ensure you adjust your driving behaviour to the road conditions and ensure that your vehicle is fit for the journey.”

To help plan your journey visit www.rac.co.uk to use RAC Routeplanner and download the free RAC Traffic app which gives the most up to date road information available including incidents and ongoing 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
• More information about the service

The RAC recommends that you use 64644 to plan your journey before you depart, and park safely before using the 64644 service, or use a suitable hands-free device.