NIGHT AWAY: This weekend could see more than 10million drivers hitting the roads
Updated: Jul 4, 2020
The easing of lockdown restrictions in England this weekend (4 July) will see the equivalent of more than 10m people – an incredible one third (31%) of all drivers – getting away for an overnight stay, potentially making it the busiest weekend of the year so far on the roads, according to a survey by RAC Breakdown.
Understandably, driving to stay over with family or friends is the most popular option, with a fifth of drivers, the equivalent of 6.5m people, planning such a trip. But campsites also look set to finally receive their first significant volume of visits this year with 6% of respondents – or around 2m drivers – planning an overnight stay under the stars.
2% of drivers (680,000) plan on towing their caravans to a caravan site for a short break, while 3% (1m) favour a stay in a hotel, B&B or self-catering accommodation.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “These figures suggest that after 15 weeks of lockdown, a large proportion of drivers in England are desperate to reconnect with friends, family and indeed nature by staying overnight, be that in a house or on a camping or caravan site.
“This could lead to some busy conditions on the roads, with the location of queues likely to be dependent on just how far people travel – motorways and major A-roads could end up taking the brunt of the traffic if people have longer distances to drive to see family and friends or to take a weekend break.“
