Drivers Warned May Bank Holiday Set To Be ‘Hectic’ On The Roads
Drivers and fleets are being warned that traffic levels on the roads this Bank Holiday weekend could be extremely high.
It’s expected that 16 million drivers will be making journeys over the weekend, with this Friday 3rd May set to be the busiest day as people head away for the long weekend.
With the weather set to be hit and miss, it’s also worth reminding yourself to take extra care in wet conditions, particularly as the roads are set to be busier than usual.
With a lot of people having the long weekend off, traffic levels are expected to be higher than usual over the weekend too, which will mean the usual Sunday lull in traffic levels might not appear…
Being Prepared For The Bank Holiday
With two bank holidays in May, it’s set to be a busy time on the roads.
While it might mean sitting in more traffic than usual, it can also have a knock-on effect on road safety, which is why it’s important to be extra vigilant.
The levels of traffic this Bank Holiday are expected to exceed levels in the last couple of years are return to the sort of figures we saw in 2019, before the pandemic.
Traffic levels have been steadily increasing in the last couple of years as people return to the office, even if it’s only on some days.
While ‘staycations’ meant record levels of journeys a couple of years ago, we’re now seeing more people make regular journeys than last year or the year before.
That adds to traffic levels and increases the risk of accidents occurring on busy roads.
Whether people are heading to see family for the weekend, heading out on day trips or heading off for a weekend away, experts are expecting it to be a busy weekend on the roads, starting this Friday.
What Does It Mean For Road Safety?
While it’s a significant boost for tourism and leisure activity in the country, the bank holidays often mean being extra prepared for anyone commuting or for fleets on their routes.
Given that traffic levels are expected to be higher, it’ll be a case of allowing time in scheduling for delays, rather than rushing to get from A to B – and the same is true for anyone on the roads this weekend.
While the bank holiday later this month might see more of a lull on the Monday, given that it’s the week of half-term, the May Day Bank Holiday is during term time, meaning it’s the only one of the year that falls outside of school holidays.
That’s likely to see parents making the most of the chance to get out and about – depending on the weather, of course!
And while more people will be heading for warmer climes abroad, there’s also expected to be a significant amount of people holidaying in the UK again this summer, so experts are advising fleets to be prepared for traffic levels as we head towards the summer.
What are your plans for dealing with higher traffic volumes over the Bank Holiday? Let us know in the comments below.
