Car accidents in the school holidays
Get tips on how to navigate car trips safely during the school holidays
Whether your summer holiday car adventures are as relaxed and tranquil as a pond or filled with mini-cheddars and biscuits flying between rowdy kids (and pets) in the backseats, it’s worth thinking about how to drive safely during the school holidays. And as you’re planning your journeys near and far over the six-week holiday, making sure your car insurance goes the distance and recognising the most frequent times for accidents is a helpful starting point. |
What are the most frequent times for accidents in the school holidays?
Based on our recent motor claims data (2023), Footnote [1]gathered over a three-week period when all schools across the UK were on school holiday, we found that the most frequent times for accidents are:
- Monday 11:00 – 12:00 and 15:00 – 16:00
- Friday 12:00 – 13:00
- Saturday 12:00 – 14:00
To help you stay safe, our UKGI Motor Claims Manager Martin Smith has five tips to press the brakes on summer holiday car accidents.
Expert tips for driving safely in the school holidays
From local staycations and camping retreats to children’s holiday clubs and outdoor activities,” says Martin, “driving during school holidays may feel overwhelming. But there are sensible and simple steps to minimise unease and prioritise safety.
Plan, prepare and pause
- Plan – Taking time to visualise and think through your driving activity (and driving times) may not only help avoid traffic, but it could mean finding safer routes to your destination. Using a reliable satnav and checking local traffic news could save you time and aggravation on the roads. For longer-distance driving (like road trips or camping adventures), having a list and packing items well in advance can reduce stress when rushing out the door. And getting the kids involved, whether thinking of items to pack or tasks appropriate to their ability, could be a positive way to keep spirits excited.
- Prepare -- Once your plan is in place, preparing for the trip could mean
- putting together a pack for the kids that includes activities, entertainment, and snacks all safely set up to minimise distractions as you drive. Of course, you’ll have to decide which snacks and activities are appropriate, but this could be discussed with the kids beforehand. This may also mean having chats with the kids about safety behaviours in the car and offering headphones to avoid sensory overload. No matter their age, even the little ones, having what they need easily accessible to avoid driver distraction is key.
- making sure the route is clear for any new destinations, with your satnav ready before the key is in the ignition. This way, you’ll reduce the risk of any U-turns or going the wrong way.
- Pause – Before leaving for any car trip, be that to the shops around the corner or across a few counties, it’s important to pause. Getting behind the wheel feeling overwhelmed, flustered, or anxious could make the drive more challenging. And remember to turn your phone on drive or ‘do not disturb’ mode when you’re ready to set off.
Minimise, fasten, and secureOverpacking your car could cause visibility issues and potential dangers if items aren't secured to the manufacturer's guidelines. This means,
- make sure all windows and mirrors have clear views of the road.
- tightening roof and bike racks plus any content inside or on top of your car
- checking tyre pressure weight of the car with all packed items
And, finally, resist the temptation to post on social media that you’re off on a trip. As excited as you may be for your trip, someone else may be just as excited – but for less-than-ideal reasons.
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