The Easter bank holiday is a pivotal period for fleet operators across the UK, with millions readying up for journeys to visit family, friends or holiday destinations, and because of this, it’s no surprise that the roads become significantly busier, and potential delays or increased stress on vehicles ramp up a notch.
According to the RAC, more than 14 million leisure trips took place over the Easter weekend in 2024, with Good Friday alone seeing around 2.6 million journeys, and a further increase on traffic volumes, especially considering the upward trend in holiday bookings, is expected for this year. In fact, the Guardian has reported that in January 2025, more than 12 million Britons had already booked international trips for the two weeks covering the Spring half-term, so it’s sure to be a very busy time.
For fleet operators, this means working to ensure all vehicles remain efficient and dependable during this bustling period, so now is the perfect time to consider the best strategies to keep moving, and here are our top tips to help make that happen:
Conduct comprehensive vehicle checks
Before the holiday rush it’s important to ensure every vehicle undergoes a thorough inspection, including:
- Checking tyres: to make sure they’re all correctly inflated and have sufficient tread depth, including any spare too
- Topping up fluids: such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windscreen wash
- And checking light and indicator bulbs: to make sure all lights are functioning correctly to maintain visibility and communication on the road
Plan out routes in advance
Any anticipated increased traffic on major routes can cause delays, let alone the extra stress of being stuck in traffic. Because of this, we’d advise:
- Avoiding peak travel times: as according to the RAC, the busiest periods tend to be between 2pm and 7pm on the Thursday before Good Friday and from 11am to 3pm on Good Friday itself
- Utilising traffic management tools: using real-time traffic data can help identify and avoid congested areas
- Or consider alternative routes all together: as whilst motorways are direct, A and B roads may offer smoother journeys during busy periods
Check for any roadworks and closures
Easter often coincides with scheduled roadworks and railway engineering projects, leading to unexpected delays, so it’s well worth checking up on:
- Traffic announcements: from sources such as the National Highways and local councils regarding planned disruptions
- And communicating with drivers: to ensure your team is aware of potential delays and has the flexibility to adjust routes as needed
Emphasise driver well-being
Long hours in traffic can be taxing in themselves, especially for commercial drivers who already spend most of their working day behind the wheel. To help, prioritising the health and alertness of your drivers can make a significant difference towards eliminating any extra stresses of being in the cab more than necessary, and tactics could include:
- Encouraging regular breaks: as even the Highway Code advises that drivers take a 15-minute break every two hours to prevent fatigue
- Providing essential supplies: by equipping vehicles with water, healthy snacks, and first-aid kits
- Promoting mental health: by recognising the stresses of holiday driving and offer support resources as needed
- And being more lenient: by acknowledging that increased congestion may impact timelines or cause unexpected problems, and that drivers should not be penalised
Leverage technology
Modern telematics and fleet management systems can be invaluable during busy periods as they can provide:
- Real-time tracking: which monitor vehicle locations to provide accurate ETAs and reroute as necessary
- Driver behaviour analysis: which can identify patterns that may indicate fatigue or risky driving, allowing for timely interventions
- And maintenance alerts: so operators can receive notifications for upcoming service requirements and ensure that vehicles remain in optimal condition
Communicate proactively with customers
Setting realistic expectations with customers regarding delivery times during the bank holiday is not only important to keep everyone up to date, but also to maintaining trust by being open and honest about any potential impacts. This could include:
- Providing advance notices: such as informing customers of potential delays due to increased traffic
- Offering flexible solutions: such as adjusting delivery schedules to off-peak times or consolidate shipments where possible
- And keeping communication lines open: with regular updates to foster trust and understanding, even when delays occur
And lastly, prepare for the unexpected
Despite meticulous planning, accidents can always happen, and when they’re impossible to avoid, it’s always best to have a back-up in place, such as:
- Setting up the correct insurance: by verifying that all vehicles and drivers are covered appropriately for the increased risks associated with busy periods
- Establishing a contingency plan: such as having protocols in place for breakdowns, accidents, or significant delays
- And fostering a supportive culture: Encourage drivers to report issues promptly and ensure they feel supported in challenging situations.
Navigating the Easter Bank Holiday rush with Egertons
With Easter being one of the busiest times on UK roads, ensuring your fleet keeps moving is essential.
That’s where we come in.
Egertons are one of the UK’s leading vehicle rescue and recovery operators, with services stretching from breakdown recovery to specialist assistance, available 24/7/365 service across the country.
In fact, regardless of the incident or circumstances, our team can deal with any request. All we need is the information gathered during the first call to work from, after which our skilled team will deploy the most suitable recovery vehicle and expert Technician to the scene.
In other words, whether it’s roadside repair on Good Friday, recovery of a vehicle to a secure location on Easter Sunday, or specialist assistance of a vehicle which has left the road throughout the half term; our team can take care of everything.