Christmas is only a couple of weeks away and the majority of us will be driving home for Christmas, planning the best way of travelling around the country to see family and friends over the festive period. In fact, a 2019 survey by RAC found that families travel an average of 450 miles over the Christmas period. The last Friday before Christmas Day, also known as Frantic Friday is expected to be the busiest on the UK roads. In order to stay safe and to make the Christmas journeys as enjoyable as possible, we’ve put together a few essential Christmas driving tips.
5 Christmas Driving Tips
1. Plan Your Journey
The first of our 5 Christmas driving tips is all about preparation: roads are always busier than normal during the Christmas getaway and congestion and traffic jams are inevitable, so you should give yourself extra time to make your journey. It is also worth checking for alternative routes which could avoid the slow-moving and standstill traffic.
2. Check Your Vehicle
The Winter weather can be very unpredictable, with heavy rain, wind and even snow a prospect, so it’s imperative that you check the weather forecast and are prepared for any eventualities. Make sure you check your lights are working correctly, windscreen wipers are clearing your windscreen fully and your antifreeze and oil are topped up to the correct levels. We’ve put together a more detailed guide of how to prepare your vehicle for the winter months, read our 5 essential winter car checks here.
3. Know Your Limits
Alcohol impairs your vision, slows your reaction times and causes fatigue, so it’s imperative that you watch your alcohol intake. The legal limit for the UK is 35micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath or 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. If prosecuted, you face a minimum one-year driving ban, unlimited fine and even a 6-month prison sentence.
4. Watch For Fatigue
The Christmas period is a busy and exhausting time, so if you’re driving home for Christmas, it’s essential that you get as much rest as possible to stay alert behind the wheel. If you feel tired whilst driving, stop at the nearest suitable location and take a break. This keeps both you, your passengers and others on the road safe!
5. Remember To Fill Up
The last of our Christmas driving tips is key to keep in mind unless you want to risk getting stranded on the motorway. A lot of petrol stations close on Christmas Day, so make sure you fill up in time to make your journeys. Though all motorway services must remain open for fuel, food, hot drinks and parking 24 hours a day including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, you will likely find these packed on your journey so save yourself the hassle and fill up sooner.
There you have it, our essential tips when driving home for Christmas. Remember to also check out our advice on how to keep your car clean during winter. Happy holidays from the Cargiant Team!