Holiday times are a nightmare when it comes to driving on the roads. The festive spirit is in the air, but on the ground, there’s nothing but congestion as far as the eye can see. This brings with it a host of risks and dangers that can really dampen the Christmas spirit, so it is important to be careful during these times and stay as safe as possible on the roads.
Why are the roads so busy at Christmastime?
During the festive season, there are so many activities going on, and so many people out and about, that roads become simply chaotic. The combination of people either on leave from work or on holiday from school, and the multitude of events, activities, markets, shops, and more to attend, means roads that get backed up beyond belief.
Not to mention the increased irritability that this can cause, which often leads to poor driving behaviour and increased risk of road rage and associated accidents. This busy time is hectic for anyone on the roads, so having some patience and compassion is essential. Everyone is in the same boat. Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, explains:
“Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations. Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”
Understanding that this is a busy time on the roads can help prepare drivers for delays and mitigate anger that may arise at the slow movement of traffic. According to certain transportation data and insights providers, the weekends before Christmas and New Year’s are forecasted to be the busiest, so drivers should mentally prepare for what is ahead.
When is the worst time to drive during the holidays?
According to USA Today:
“Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, around 122.4 million Americans are expected to travel – exceeding last year’s 119.7 million and setting a new record”
While there is a lot of movement on the roads around the holidays, the quietest day for travel is actually Christmas Day itself, for obvious reasons. It is on this day that most people are already with their families and loved ones. While it might not be ideal to travel on this exact day because you’ll be missing out on certain festivities, it will save a lot of time and money when compared to other days surrounding these holidays.
New Year’s Day is also another quieter day for traveling, as people will be recovering from a hard night of celebrations and are unlikely to venture too far from the comfort of their homes.
Other factors to consider during festive travel
Although it is too far in advance to get accurate weather predictions for Christmas and New Year’s, many of the public are probably hoping for a white Christmas full of beautiful snow. Although this is traditional for the Christmas spirit, snowy and icy weather only brings further complications for travel during this time.
Congestion is already a huge problem throughout the festive period, but if the winter weather conditions become worse, this can affect road safety and cause even further delays. Remember to exercise caution in these conditions to avoid danger or fines that can occur due to snowy conditions.
Overall, the festive season is a period where you must expect longer travel times and try to avoid increased irritability that could lead to irresponsible behaviour. If you really want to avoid delays, travel on Christmas Day when it is quietest. Stay safe this festive season during colder conditions, especially on these dangerous roads in winter.
