Tips on how to cope on the busiest day of Christmas getaway with 24.4m cars on the road
EXPERTS have revealed their tips on how to cope on the busiest day of the Christmas getaway with 24.4 million cars on the road.
The AA expects around 24.4m cars on the road on Friday, 19 December, as Christmas journeys to see loved ones get underway.
Experts and business owners have revealed their tips on how to keep your spirits up in the traffic.
This comes as one in 10 drivers say they do full-blown karaoke when driving alone, rocketing to 46% among Gen Z (18–24) and younger millennials (25–34), according to research by AA Cars.
Nearly a fifth (18%) take the scenic route just to squeeze in extra solo time, while 22% of dedicated car singers sit in the driveway to finish a song.
A quarter of drivers (25%) admit to people-watching at traffic lights. It is highest among Gen Z (47%), but even among boomers (65+), it is still 20%, which is a reminder that not all distractions are digital.
James Hosking, Managing Director of AA Cars, said: “Christmas traffic has a way of turning every journey into a bigger event than you planned, especially when the roads are packed, and everyone is trying to do everything at once.
"It’s no surprise that so many drivers, particularly Gen Z and millennials, turn solo time in the car into their own little bubble, whether that’s a singalong, a longer route for some headspace, or sitting on the drive to finish a track. The key is making sure the entertainment never takes priority over concentration.
"If you know you’ll be travelling at peak times, plan your route, allow more time than you think you need, and get the car ready before you set off. A few basic checks and a calmer schedule are still the best way to make sure the only drama on the journey is the chorus you’re singing.”
Kundan Bhaduri, Entrepreneur, Investor and Landlord at London-based The Kushman Group, had some tips for bored drivers.
He said: "It's funny we do this to ourselves every single year. Last time I checked, Christmas Day was fixed. It doesn't move around like Easter or sneak up on us unexpectedly. Yet somehow 24 million drivers all decide to hit the road on the same Friday afternoon like synchronised lemmings heading for a family roast.
“Here's my simple solution to this chaos. Leave early, accept that you're going to be late anyway, and embrace the chaos. Try and download proper podcasts (instead of making your own), pack snacks that won't melt, and remember that the journey home on Boxing Day will be exactly as bad but with added food poisoning.”
Sarah Gatford, Head of Interactions at Derby-based Sarah Gatford Ltd, said singing was the best way to pass the time.
She added: "If I get stuck, gridlocked on the M1, or in queues caused by retail outlets, I belt out Wham's Last Christmas or similar with zero shame. Being caught mid-chorus, others smile back. Small moment, big shift in energy. I'm not Gen Z (firmly in the ‘cassette tape’ generation), but I've never grown out of car singing.
"It's cheaper than therapy and more effective than road rage. When traffic crawls, your stress levels don't have to. I queue up a solid playlist before setting off. No faffing with my phone at red lights. I pick songs I can really commit to (bonus points if there’s some air guitar to make others grin).
"And I wave at fellow singers, they’re easy to spot! If taking the scenic route adds 15 minutes to avoid the busiest stretch means arriving calmer, do it! You can't control the traffic. You can control whether you arrive wound up or warmed up. Choose the latter."
