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Bank Holiday traffic advice

The lure of a 'free' day to add to annual leave or school holidays tempts many people out into their cars for Bank Holiday trips. Unfortunately, in their cars is where they often stay for most of the day.

How to beat the traffic jam blues

• Leave Early
  If you have a fair distance to go, try and start very early in the morning or even during the night before. But make sure you're not too tired to drive - share the driving if you can.
• Allow extra time
  If you can't get away early, allow extra time. Accepting the fact that it will probably take you longer will help ease the stress.
• Check your car is in good working order
  Check your car's oil, coolant, tyre pressures and screen wash before you go (the day before, to avoid rushing). And your caravan's tyre pressures if you're towing. Take your mobile phone in case you need to phone for breakdown recovery.
• Make sure you have enough fuel
  Stop-start traffic increases fuel consumption. And topping-up at your local supermarket filling station before you go will almost certainly be cheaper than filling up at a motorway services.
• Make sure you know the route
  Have your Sat Nav set up and ready to go, print out a route from one of the online route planners or have an up to date road map with you.
• Avoid traffic hot-spots
  Try and plan your route to avoid the well-known motorway congestion spots, such as the M25, M23, M55 and M5/M4 interchange.
• Check for radio updates
  Most modern cars have an RDS radio which can update you with local and national traffic incidents (it's usually the TA or TP button) - hopefully giving you time to avoid them.
• Be prepared!
  Make sure you'll be comfortable if you get stuck in a jam. Have plenty of water, snacks and sweets on board, plus games and music for the children.