More than three million daily trips expected on roads
More than 21 million car journeys are expected to be made this weekend as most schools in England finish for the Easter holidays, according to the RAC.
It surveyed drivers’ plans and found more than three million trips are expected to be made on Friday and Saturday.
This is 700,000 more than the 2.7m journeys planned for both Thursday 3 April and Sunday 6 April – and nearly 1m more than the 2.4m expected on Monday 7 April.
An additional 6.8m journeys will be staggered between Friday and Sunday – with drivers unsure exactly when they’ll hit the road on those dates.
With one in four drivers saying they’ve experienced a vehicle breakdown on vacation, the RAC is advising all holidaymakers to ensure their vehicles are road-ready.
‘A vehicle breakdown has no place on a holiday itinerary, so the more you can do to ensure your car is in the best possible condition before you go, the lower your chances of suffering one,’ says Alice Simpson, RAC breakdown spokesperson.
‘With a massive 21m journeys expected this weekend, it’s more than likely that roads to popular holiday destinations will see their fair share of traffic. These are not only tiring to endure but increase fuel consumption significantly.’
‘In the worst-case scenario, riding the clutch in stop-start traffic can increase wear on its components and lead to premature failure.’
Looking ahead: preparing for Easter Bank Holiday weekend
‘Also, in slow moving traffic, the airflow into the engine compartment is reduced and can cause overheating issues, especially in older vehicles or those with faulty cooling fans.’
‘Knowing the Easter bank holiday weekend is approaching in a few weeks, we’re advising drivers to use their time now wisely.’
‘If you’re in any doubt about the condition of your car or there’s an MOT advisory that needs addressing, it’s far better to book a service or repair in advance of your trip to minimise chances of a breakdown later.’
When asked about the reasons for their vehicle breaking down, nearly 20% of drivers said they’d experienced punctures which were often caused by poor quality roads or heavily worn tyres.
A further 15% experienced a ‘flat start’ to their getaway trips due to alternator and starter motor issues with 13% finding themselves stuck due to engine overheating.
