All UK motorists issued bank holiday travel alert

Many Brits will be gearing up for their bank holiday plans, which will include a number of things from barbecues with friends and families to road trips across the country. With that in mind, motorists have been issued a warning for the upcoming long weekend.

National Highways and Kwik Fit are urging drivers across the country to make sure they do one specific thing ahead of the break to ensure things run smoothly for them. It has been reported that more than half of drivers in the country have plans to hit the roads this weekend, yet a third of them do not feel safe doing something that could prevent "unnenecessary risks" and issues during their trip.

Before taking a drive this weekend, motorists are being advised to perform basic tyre checks as tyre defects were the cause of one in five breakdowns last year.

In 2024, more than 48,000 breakdowns on major A roads and motorways were recorded in the months of May and June, with tyre defects being one of the main causes.

National Highways has found that many drivers in the UK tend to be underprepared for handling tyre issues, with only 13% saying they check their tyre tread and 16% checking their tyre pressure ahead of a long journey.

Therefore, before heading off on a Bank Holiday trip, both National Highways and Kwik Fit are reminding drivers to perform these basic checks, ensuring that there is tread of more than 1.6mm, as below that figure can be illegal, reduce traction and increase the risk of blowouts, cause uneven wear, and lead to longer stopping distances.

The campaign T.R.I.P reminds drivers to Top-up, Rest, Inspect, and Prepare fahead of any sort of travel, as research discovered that 41% of people do not feel confident in carrying out "basic car maintenance" themselves.

Sheena Hague, National Highways' director of road safety, said: "We want all drivers to have a safe T.R.I.P. this bank holiday and a key part of that is preparing for the journey and checking your vehicle."

National Highways and Kwik Fit have teamed up to provide women's only and mixed Car Care Evenings, to support those who want to learn more about their car and feel more confident preparing for a long journey.

She added: "If you are travelling this bank holiday, we encourage all drivers to prioritise safety before setting off by planning ahead. Our T.R.I.P. checklist – Top-up, Rest, Inspect, Prepare – serves as a simple yet effective guide to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and you’re ready for any journey."

Dan Joyce, operations director at Kwik Fit, said: "We want everyone to be armed with the knowledge to carry out simple checks before travelling and reduce the likelihood of experiencing any car trouble on the road. Our free Car Care Evenings are a great way for drivers to get hands-on experience in making these checks and be confident that they are properly prepared for their trips.

"The last thing people want on a Bank Holiday trip is to encounter problems during their journey – particularly one they could have avoided with a simple check before setting off."