Weekend jams predicted as drivers return from UK holidays

An estimated 18 million leisure trips will be taken by car this weekend, 1.8 million more than last year, new research from the RAC suggests.

The motoring organisation predicted that traffic could be bumper to bumper on some popular routes as people embark on long weekends and bank holiday daytrips.

The figures suggest an increase (up 1.8 million) in trips compared to 2019, which the RAC said is most likely a result of more people returning from holidays in the UK this year.

Separate RAC research conducted at the start of August suggested that a total of around 45 million daytrips would be taken by drivers this month, with more than a quarter of drivers (28%) saying they planned on taking more daytrips than last year.

The latest research suggests a large proportion of these trips might well be being taken this coming weekend.

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: ‘It’s been anything but a normal summer for so many reasons, but our research indicates that millions of us are still desperate to eke out the last of the summer and enjoy time away.

‘Both official Government statistics and our own data from insurance customers show that weekend traffic is now back to pre-lockdown levels.

‘The numbers of people breaking down are also around where we would expect them to be for late August. It’s clear therefore that despite the pandemic, the car has been a vital part of making sure many people have been able to enjoy the summer safely.’