Fewer drivers expected on roads over Christmas

Quieter roads are being predicted over the Christmas holidays as the credit crunch and potential stormy weather will likely impact travel plans of many in the UK.

New research published by the AA is showing that approximately 65 per cent of the 7,380 Britons polled have said that they plan to avoid travelling during the holiday and stay at home instead.

Eighteen per cent of those who travelled during the Christmas period last year report that they are planning to stay off the roads this year.

Around 10 per cent of those responding to the survey said that they would be spending over four hours in their car over the holiday, as compared with 25 per cent last year.

Roads are expected to see the heaviest traffic on Monday, 22 December, as people start to head out for their holiday destinations.

A substantial number of Britons will be escaping the UK, as the AA Route Planner shows Gatwick and Heathrow airports being two of the top 10 destinations.

Under 11 per cent of those taking part in the survey said they would be driving more than 100 miles to reach family or friends to celebrate the holidays. Fifteen per cent of Londoners, however, indicated that they’d be covering more than 100 miles over Christmas.

Nearly 60 per cent of those polled said they’d rather stay at home than travel over the holiday period.

www.theaa.com