The great Coronation road trip - one in five Brits heading for a mini break

• Green Flag is forecasting spikes in average daily call volumes for breakdown support on Friday 5^th May (up six per cent) and Sunday 7^th May (up 15 per cent)
• One in five Brits is heading off for a mini break this coronation weekend, rising to almost a third (30 per cent) of Londoners 
• On the day of the coronation itself, Saturday 6th May, 18 per cent of all car journeys will be made by people travelling for a coronation themed event, such as a street or garden party

Millions of Brits will hit the road this weekend to take advantage of the bonus Coronation Bank Holiday, according to new research by Green Flag.  The unique Bank Holiday will see a fifth (20 per cent) of Brits embracing the opportunity to head away for a mini break, with the most popular trips including visiting family (26 per cent) or a staycation/activity weekend, including hotel stays and camping trips (18 per cent).

While many will be travelling over the bank holiday weekend, it doesn’t mean they plan to miss out on the coronation itself. Of those travelling on the day of the coronation, 6^th May, 37 per cent will start their journey after the event so they don’t miss it, while 30 per cent will watch or listen to the event while on the road.  On the day of the coronation 18 per cent of all car journeys will be made by people travelling for coronation themed events, such as a street or garden party.

The roads are expected to be busy all weekend, with Green Flag forecasting spikes in average daily call volumes for breakdown support particularly on Friday 5^th May (up six per cent) and Sunday 7^th May (up 15 per cent). The breakdown provider is advising drivers to check their car thoroughly before starting a long journey.

Katie Lomas, Managing Director at Green Flag, commented: “The roads are always busier on Bank Holiday weekends and this one will be no different as people take advantage of an extra day off to celebrate the Coronation to enjoy street parties, day trips or staycations. Whether you’re travelling long distance or just heading to see friends or family 30 mins away from home, make sure your car is roadworthy and ready, with a healthy battery, fuel you need for your journey and the tyres, oil and water are at the required level.

“While breakdowns in some cases are unavoidable, it’s often the case that cars suffer problems because they haven’t been well looked after, so we would recommend doing these basic checks before you travel to avoid unwanted delays and interruptions. And make sure you allow extra time to get to your destination, especially as some roads will be closed for street parties or other Coronation events.”

Regional findings:

Almost a third (30 per cent) of London residents are taking the opportunity on Coronation weekend to head off on a mini break. The residents of Bristol (27 per cent) and Brighton (23 per cent) are also planning to use the extended weekend as an opportunity to head away from home, which means congestion in these areas is likely to be higher than some other cities in the country. 

Table One: City breakdown of residents’ coronation travel plans 

Source: Green Flag

Green Flag recommends drivers carry out the following checks on their vehicle before setting off:

• Walk around the car and look for signs of potential issues, including flat tyres or lights that need replacing
• Have a regular service on your vehicle to ensure your car is in the best condition
• Check your tyres, making sure they are set to the correct pressure – loaded vehicles generally need a different pressure to everyday driving. Check the sticker in the door jam or owner’s handbook for the correct pressure. Tyres do have their own built-in tread wear indicators, but this can also be checked by using a 20 pence coin; if the outer band of the coin is visible when placing the coin in the groove between the treads, it means they’ve worn too low, and the tyres need replacing
• Check all fluid levels, making sure to top up if necessary and carrying water, oil and screen wash with you just in case
• Make sure you have fuel to get to your destination and back and plan your fuel stops in advance if you’re going on a longer journey that will require you to refuel your vehicle. If you’re driving an electric vehicle, make sure your car is fully charged before you head off, and try and locate charging points on the route so you’re fully prepared for your journey
• Make sure your phone battery is topped up prior to your journey and pack a portable charger. In the event of a breakdown, using an in-car phone charger without the engine running can flatten a car battery in a very short space of time
• Make sure you have breakdown cover in place to ensure you’ve covered and can get help in the event of a problem with your car

Green Flag is one of the leading breakdown providers, offering drivers 24/7 assistance from 3,000 expert technicians all over the UK. For more information visit greenflag.com or download the Green Flag app.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Simon Ansell

Green Flag PR Lead

Simon.ansell@directlinegroup.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Research conducted by Opinium among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults between 25^th – 28^th April 2023

About Green Flag:

With over 50 years' experience, Green Flag provides customers with breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a network of breakdown operators across the UK and mainland Europe (Euro Plus cover required).  

Green Flag is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.   

Green Flag and UK Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.    

Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting www.greenflag.com