- Image via Wikipedia
Yesterday I posted some quick pointers to keep you moving over the bank holiday weekend. I realised that perhaps some more in depth advice was needed if you were real traffic avoiders like I am.
- Go by train and hire a car at the other end – if you are driving over 150 miles this becomes a financially viable option.
Advance booking a train makes it cheaper to travel, and budget car hire at the other end means the time saved is around 50%. Plus you have the advantage of starting the holiday weekend early on the train, family can stretch their legs and get a bit of work done if you are that way inclined. Compare this to sitting in hours of traffic and constant chants of “are we there yet”. It’s easier on the soul and not so heavy on the pocket.
- Plan your route
Plan your route using online tools to avoid all the major roadworks. It may mean a few more miles driving but that beats sitting still or driving at 2 miles per hour in the congested areas.
Above are three websites that help with the route planning and traffic information. We use the AA website quite a lot.
- Bank holiday traffic gets busy around Friday afternoon and the Monday evening when people are travelling to and from their destinations. Plan your travel arrangements with this in mind, leave early, leave late, sleep in the afternoon and drive overnight.
There are 16 million cars expected on the road. One will breakdown, the law of averages says so. Check your car thoroughly before you leave, top up all the water, screenwashes etc. Check you have the RAC/AA breakdown number in your phone. Charge you phone fully before leaving. Check your spare tyre is legal and remember to take some food with you. We find bran bars, flapjacks and other foods work better than chocolate bars - but even a chocolate bar is better than nothing. Bring plenty of water, to prevent both you and the car overheating.
- Spur of the moment trips to the seaside?
Travel the back roads if you can, use your Sat Nav to program a more scenic route and press the avoid motorways option. At seaside reosts when you arrive the next big rush is for the parking spots and you can bet your life that the wardens are out in force. Park safely, securely and remember to lock your vehicles. Axa the insurance company say that 16 cars will be competing for one parking space, perhaps an impromptu trip to the local woods and nature reserves is a better option.
- 5 music festivals, a big cricket match and Notting Hill Carnival…
Yes, over the bank holiday there are 7 major events as well as all the local events, try to avoid these areas if you can and if you are attending one of them, leave in plenty of time.
When driving, tune into local radio stations for updates and remember – not everyone is a brilliant a driver as you are, so cut them some slack 
Careful planning and tuning in to the updates will see you beat the traffic jams this summer.
Kev
