30 March 2021

No Easter weekend getaway as most drivers plan to stay off the roads – survey

30 March 2021

The traditional Easter getaway will be absent for a second year in a row as millions of people plan to stay off the roads this weekend, new figures suggest.

Easter Monday is set to be the quietest day for traffic during the bank holiday period with just 28% of drivers planning a trip, according to an AA-Yonder survey of 15,000 motorists.

Saturday is expected to see the most activity, with 36% of drivers due to hit the road.

Vehicles will need important checks after a period of little use through lockdown

This is ahead of Good Friday (31%) and Easter Sunday (30%).

Easter is normally one of the busiest periods of the year for travel, with people taking advantage of bank holidays and rising temperatures.

Some 58% of motorists planned a getaway during Easter 2020 before the coronavirus outbreak forced people to stay at home.

The low proportion of drivers planning to hit the road this weekend suggests many people remain cautious despite the easing of lockdown restrictions.

AA patrol of the year Ben Sheridan urged motorists planning to take trips when restrictions are eased further to use Easter to “make sure the car is up to the job” by carrying out essential maintenance.

He went on: “Vehicles will need important checks after a period of little use through lockdown, and the Easter bank holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity for some Sunday morning maintenance.”

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