Major motoring organisations are predicting that this Easter’s roads will be quietest since road tracking began.

Analysis by the RAC is suggesting that this year’s Easter break will see fewer cars on the roads than ever before, a surprising claim, when you consider that travel restrictions were lifted earlier this week.

The motoring organisation’s data shows us that there were 12.2m leisure road trips on the Easter weekend in 2019, and surprisingly, despite pandemic lockdown, that figure rose to 12.4m last year. But this year could be a lost lower, with estimates suggesting that there will be only 5.6m trips, with 25 per cent of drivers saying they will not be planning a trip. Good Friday is likely to be the busiest day, with 2m separate journeys. The RAC data suggests that traffic may spike on the week commencing Monday 12 April, when many schools will still be on holiday, and restrictions will be eased further.

"What is traditionally one of the busiest weekends for leisure trips in normal times could turn out to be anything but in 2021, with the pandemic continuing to have a big impact on drivers’ plans to see friends and family this Easter,” said Rod Dennis, traffic spokesman for the RAC. “The fact that meetings among family members or friends must be outdoors is very clearly on drivers’ minds.

"Nonetheless, it’s unlikely the roads will be empty of traffic over Easter, and if the weather turns out to be good more people will inevitably jump in their cars for a trip at short notice, even if that’s just among members of the same household. And of course, just a single breakdown or collision on a major road could then lead to some jams.

“Looking forward, we’re expecting to see greater numbers of people on the roads the weekend after Easter. Drivers have clearly got their eyes on Monday 12 April which is the earliest date when lockdown restrictions could be eased further, and could be the day zoos, theme parks and other attractions reopen along with non-essential retail outlets and some self-catering holiday accommodation.”

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