With Christmas just around the corner, 20 million Brits are preparing to drive ‘home’ for the holidays to friends and family.
Amid significant rail disruptions caused by planned closures on major train routes, the roads are set to be busier than ever, so the driving experts at Scrap Car Comparison are urging motorists to plan their journeys well in advance to avoid congestion and manage hidden costs.
Research from Scrap Car Comparison reveals that 53% of car owners – the equivalent to 20.3 million Brits – plan to drive home for Christmas this year, as train closures disrupt travel plans. Planned engineering works are causing closures at major stations over the Christmas period, including London Liverpool Street, London Paddington and London St Pancras – some of the busiest transport hubs in the country.
The South Wales to Bath GWR service is not operating on Sunday due to staff taking off time and this will put additional strain on roads and bus services in the area.
Work on the major rail lines is planned from Christmas into the ‘Twixmas’ period, with delays on some lines expected to go on until as late as 5 January.
With these popular routes, including some key London tube lines, being shut down for days over the festive period, many will be forced to rely on their vehicles to reunite with loved ones, meaning road traffic over the festive period is expected to reach busier-than-usual levels.
According to the research, the average journey during the holidays will span 95 miles – roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes of driving, depending on speed and not including significant traffic levels. However, with the roads set to be busier than ever, the time spent in vehicles this festive period is set to be much longer than this.
In addition, just over 14% of motorists (over 2.8 million Brits) will travel more than 200 miles to be with loved ones this Christmas. As a result, the driving experts at Scrap Car Comparison are urging motorists to plan for the hidden costs of longer trips and make sure to take plenty of breaks on the road.
This increase in car travel is expected to lead to a surge in fuel consumption, with an additional minimum of 5,180 litres of fuel estimated to be used nationwide in the run-up to Christmas Day, placing extra strain on motorists’ wallets.
David Kottaun, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison shared advice for drivers ahead of the Christmas rush, “This Christmas, with rail disruptions adding to the usual seasonal traffic, planning ahead is more important than ever.
“Leaving early, considering alternative routes, and budgeting for fuel and road trip snack costs are essential to ensuring a smoother journey to get home for Christmas on time. We know this time of year can be stressful, but some extra preparation can make all the difference.
“It’s also a great idea to keep an emergency kit in your car, including water, snacks, a hi-vis vest or jacket, a torch, and warm clothing, in case of unexpected delays. Safety should always come first so plan your Christmas socials carefully if you know you will be taking to the roads the next day.
“Driving the morning after a festive night out can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence – your reaction times are slower, and alcohol may still be in your system. This holiday season, prioritise safety above all else. If you’ve been drinking, give yourself plenty of time to recover before getting behind the wheel, because a bad decision could ruin more than just your Christmas.”
