Becky Spencer outlines advice on safe holiday driving.

Around half the population will be taking a UK holiday or short break this summer, according to a survey by Visit Britain. The South West and North West of England, London, Scotland, Yorkshire and Wales are the most popular destinations.

Most of these trips are taken by road, so anyone travelling this summer should expect high traffic volumes, congestion and delays across the road network, especially if heading for coastal holiday hotspots or large cities.

Unsurprisingly, with all these extra vehicles on the road the number of vehicle breakdowns and collisions also increase, adding to congestion and slowing the traffic flow. But as motorists, there are steps that can be taken to make the holiday driving experience safer and smoother for all.

Plan your journey

Technology means it’s now easier than ever to plan your route before even leaving the house. The free route planners (available from many websites) and apps flag up road closures and road works and allow you to consider alternative routes to avoid them. And while on the road, many sat navs provide real-time traffic updates and alerts – if you have updated the software.

While a route planner will provide an expected journey time, in the real world there are bound to be unexpected delays and, depending on the length of your journey, you also need to factor in time for rest breaks to prevent fatigue.

Drivers who become drowsy or fall asleep at the wheel cause thousands of collisions each year. A sleepy driver is more distractible, slower to recognise hazards and slower to react to hazards when they do see them. Someone who’s driving at the point of severe sleepiness will be having micro sleeps and the more tired they get, the more lapses they will have.

Many drivers try to stay awake by turning up the air conditioning, winding down the window, listening to the radio, talking or singing. These will only work for a few minutes, to give you time to find somewhere safe to stop. They will not stop you falling asleep.

Long journeys on monotonous roads such as motorways are a key risk factor for fatigue related collisions, so planning rest breaks (at least 15 minutes every two hours) is essential.

Other tips when planning your journey include:

• Try to travel early or late in the day to avoid the worst of delays seen during peak travel times

• Check the weather forecast for your route

• If you’re towing a caravan or trailer allow extra time because your journey will be slower, especially if you are driving in strong winds or rain

• If you’re driving an electric vehicle (EV), always check the distance between charge points before setting off.

Check your vehicle

The summer holiday period is the busiest time of year for breakdowns. On average, there are 5,000 breakdowns each week in the summer on England’s motorways and major A roads alone.

Around a quarter of summer breakdowns are caused by punctures or other tyre issues. Vehicles running out of fuel and engines overheating are other common reasons for breakdowns on motorways.

Many of these breakdowns could have been avoided if drivers had carried out basic vehicle checks before setting off. Drivers should check:

• Tyres: check your tyre pressures are suitable for the load and check tyres for cuts or wear, including the spare. Make sure all tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. As well as running the risk of a breakdown, driving without the legally required amount of tread on tyres can adversely affect grip, braking distance and steering

• Engine oil, coolant and screen wash

• Lights: if your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, you are putting yourself and your passengers at risk

• Windscreen: check for any damage and ensure the wiper blades are in good condition

• Fuel: make sure you have enough to get to your destination. EV drivers need to plan ahead so they know where charge points are located along their route.

If you have hired a vehicle, do your own vehicle checks before setting off. If it is a model that you have not driven before, take time to familiarise yourself with the controls and set up your driving position in advance.

If you are towing a caravan or trailer, make sure you’re towing safely and legally by carrying out the relevant safety checks before you set off. These include checking the tow ball and connections, the breakaway cable, the wheels and tyres, and the lights and indicators. If you are using a trailer, always check it is not overloaded and that the load is distributed evenly and is secure.

Finally, don’t forget the contact details for your breakdown provider (just in case!).

Are you fit to drive?

All drivers have a responsibility to ensure they are fit and able to drive safely before getting behind the wheel. This means not driving when you are feeling unwell or tired, not driving under the influence of drink or drugs, or when you are taking medication that could affect your driving ability.

Before setting off, ask yourself, am I well rested and fit enough for the drive ahead? If the answer is no, delay your journey or get someone else to drive. It really isn’t worth taking the risk.

Adapt your driving style

For many drivers, driving to their holiday destination will be the longest drive they do all year, and will usually involve using unfamiliar roads.

If your journey involves travelling through rural areas, many of the roads will be narrow, bendy single lane roads, so always keep to an appropriate speed for the road you on travelling on. If you can’t see what’s ahead, what’s ahead can’t see you! Driving at an inappropriate speed (even if you are below the speed limit) is a major cause of collisions on rural roads.

Many drivers feel nervous or uncomfortable driving on rural roads because their layout and the unique hazards of driving in the countryside, such as farm vehicles, horse riders, tight bends and unmarked junctions, can make driving challenging. But by adapting your driving style to the road setting you are in, keeping an eye on your speed and giving vulnerable road users like cyclists and horse riders plenty of space when you pass them, you can navigate rural roads safely.

Motorway driving also has its own unique hazards. Driving for long periods on a motorway is monotonous, which is why rest breaks are so important to prevent fatigue and to keep your concentration and focus sharp. Most road collisions are caused, or partly caused, by human error, and if you are driving when tired or sleepy, the likelihood of making errors increases. Even a minor error when you’re travelling on a high-speed road can have devastating consequences.

Around 10 per cent of England’s motorway network is made up of smart motorways. Driving on a smart motorway is similar in many respects to driving on a traditional motorway. Drivers should only use the hard shoulder as a running lane when the electronic gantry signs say they may do so, follow the speed limits shown above a lane and never drive in a lane with a red X above it. That lane is closed for a reason and must not be used.

If your vehicle develops a fault or a warning light comes on while driving on a motorway, stay calm and try to exit at the next junction or motorway service area. If that’s not possible, drivers are advised to:

• Go left: put your left indicator on and move into an emergency area, onto a hard shoulder, left-hand verge or A-road lay-by and put your hazard warning lights on. On a motorway without a hard shoulder, try and get your vehicle to an emergency refuge area. These are spaced regularly and are marked with blue signs featuring an orange SOS telephone symbol

• Get safe: if it is safe to do so, exit your vehicle on the side furthest from traffic. Get behind a safety barrier where there is one, and where it is safe to do so. If you’re on a verge, be aware of any unseen hazards such as uneven ground or debris

• Get help: use an emergency SOS telephone or call 0300 123 5000 and then contact your breakdown recovery provider. If you have stopped in a live traffic lane, stay in the vehicle with seatbelts and hazard lights on and call 999 or press the SOS button if your vehicle has one.

Long holiday drives are full of anticipation and excitement. Taking some time to check your vehicle before you set off can save you a lot of stress and frustration, and driving calmly and considerately and taking regular rest breaks will help you reach your destination safely.