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9 Top Tips for Easter Driving This Year

After a long, cold winter, most of us are keen to get away and make the most of the Easter break. Our top driving tips will ensure it’s a stress-free one!

By
05 Apr 2022

Who doesn’t like to get away? And after a long, cold winter, the Easter break shines like a beacon of hope and warmth. It offers a chance to get away, relax and remember what it is that makes life so great. No matter if you’ve booked a long weekend away somewhere new or a short jaunt overseas for some spring warmth, Easter driving often means tackling motorways and heavy traffic. It’s not the best start to a relaxing break, but with a little preparation, the drive needn’t be a worry.

Plan ahead

Easter driving in the UK gets pretty busy, especially if you’re making tracks on Good Friday. To ease the strain and avoid traffic jams, plan ahead. Get familiar with the route you intend to take. If you can comfortably leave early in the morning or late in the evening, you’ll avoid congested motorways and have a smoother journey. Remember to check the weather forecast too –  snow can still surprise us at Easter time – and consider adjusting the times you’ll be on the road if the weather isn’t in your favour.

Be prepared for adverse conditions

Speaking of weather, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the worst – the forecast isn’t always correct. At Easter time, it’s just as likely to be warm and clear as it is to rain heavily or even snow! Make sure you have a blanket, torch, de-icer, shovel and mobile phone charger. Snacks and a few bottles of water are good to have to hand if you do get stuck.

Pack well

Sure, you want to have a matching capsule wardrobe packed in your overnight bag to take you through from morning to evening, but how you pack the car matters too. Over-packing your car can affect the steering, braking and general handling at high speeds. Check your maximum load limits. Distribute the weight of luggage evenly throughout the boot and make sure you’re not blocking your view through mirrors. Avoid placing small items behind the driver’s seat where they can roll into the front footwell and inhibit the use of foot pedals.

Check your vehicle

Tyres, oil, lights, coolant, wiper blades and fuel are essential for ensuring you can reach your destination safely and comfortably. Check tyre pressure after loading up with the luggage. Oil and lights can be checked a few days before you leave and if you find anything that needs attention, book in for some emergency car maintenance to get it sorted before you go. No one wants to get stuck on the way to a much-longed-for break, least of all in heavy holiday traffic.

Create an Easter driving playlist

If you’re a nervous driver or have kids in the back for a long journey, having an Easter driving playlist prepared can help calm things down. A chill playlist and audiobooks the whole family can enjoy will keep the mood light and calm for long journeys and little minds distracted from “how long until we get there” even if you do get stuck in traffic.

Refuel wisely

If you’re driving an electric vehicle, it can help to know where your possible re-charge points are and save you a LOT of stress if you are caught in heavy, slow, battery-sapping traffic. On the other hand, if you’re taking your little city run around out of town for the weekend, chances are you’ll need to refuel too. Apps like Fuelio can help you keep track of your fuel efficiency and also choose the best places to top up your tank. With today’s petrol prices, finding a cheaper option quickly will leave more cash in your pocket for enjoying your holiday.

Rest up well

We know you’re off on your Easter holiday to rest and recharge, but make sure you’re well rested before you set off on a long journey. Driver fatigue is a real danger and leaves you as slow to react as if you were driving drunk. Fatigue contributes to around 4% of fatal crashes in the UK.

Free entertainment for all

You’ll also want to minimise distractions, so make sure you have entertainment for small kids, and a bunch of driving games at the ready should infotainment systems lose their attraction. Traditional (and free) games like eye spy, the licence plate game and backseat bingo are a great way to start your holiday feeling and connect with the kids. They’re also perfect for keeping little and not so little ones entertained, engaged and quiet on longer journeys.

Watch out for other road users

When you are driving at Easter, every man and his dog will be on the road too. Some drivers will be distracted by their passengers, under pressure to reach their destination or unfamiliar with the roads. This can make Easter driving tricky at best and downright risky at worst.

Drive defensively – that means observing other road users and anticipating problems. Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead – and drop back again if someone pulls into this space. Be wary of indicators too; just because someone indicates they’re turning doesn’t mean they’ll actually turn that way. Wait for the physical movement to confirm the indicated action before reacting.

Easter driving needn’t be stressful. With a little preparation, you can enjoy the journey to and from your holiday destination almost as much as the holiday itself.