We know that travelling during rush hour can add precious minutes to the journey, but school holidays mean families getting away for a staycation, and the roads may seem busier than normal. There are, however, a few things that drivers and fleet managers can do to help lighten the load.
Busiest Times of the Year
The roads are often busiest during:
The Summer School holidays (Late July & August, and June/July in Scotland)
Major Bank Holiday Weekends – These include Easter, May Day Bank Holiday and August Bank Holiday
Christmas – Some families and university children returning home for the holidays usually around 20th-24th December
Knowing when the roads are busiest can help drivers and fleet managers manage the workload effectively.
Which Roads Are Busiest?
Some roads are busy all year round. Take, for example, the M25, which carries around 250,000 vehicles daily. One of the busiest junctions on this orbital is junction 14 & 15 near Heathrow. The M25: There’s a reason why it’s known as the UK’s largest car park!
Some roads are more affected by seasonal changes. Consider the Summer & Easter holidays, as well as Bank Holidays; you will find the roads leading to the coast are significantly busier with families looking to make the most of the school holidays.
Ways to Manage the Busy Roads
While you may not be able to avoid all the traffic on the roads, there are some things you can do:
- Travel during non-peak times – If it is a sustainable idea for your business, do your travelling during non-peak hours
- Plan your Route – Planning your route in advance saves you time when you are out on the road. We even have telematics that can help you optimise your routes and plan ahead.
- Be prepared to Change Route if Traffic is Bad – Again modern technology such as sat navs can help divert you from your original route if there is traffic ahead.
Managing a Traffic Jam
Ultimately, there are times that despite our best efforts, we are caught in traffic jams. We know these events will happen, so it’s always good to be prepared.
- Snacks – Have some non-perishable snacks in the vehicle, such as crisps, for when you are caught up in a jam
- Drinks – Always make sure you have plenty of fluid with you (especially during the warmer weather!)
- Powerbank or charger – Make sure you can keep your mobile device charged up, especially important for updates from the office.
- Spare clothes – If you are on the road for long hours and overnight, a spare set of clothes is a must
- Blanket – If the temperature drops and you’re stuck in traffic, you will be grateful of a nice warm blanket
Closing Thoughts
While the summer holidays can make the roads a lot busier, following some of these tips in this blog can help to manage and mitigate the additional travel time.
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