Bank Holiday Monday can end with a concentrated wave of return journeys. After a full day out, the driver may be more tired than expected, the car may be carrying extra bags and the final hour can coincide with low sun or rapidly changing visibility. The safest plan is to treat the journey home as a fresh trip, not simply the reverse of the morning drive.
Before leaving, check the live route, local weather and your remaining fuel or battery range. Add time for one proper stop, even if the sat-nav suggests you can reach home without it. A calm twenty-minute delay is better than allowing tiredness or glare to decide where you stop.
1. Reset before starting the return leg
Do a quick walk-around while the car is parked safely. Check that tyres look normal, lights and number plates are unobstructed, the windscreen is clean and luggage is secured. Put loose bottles, toys and bags in the boot or a closed storage area so they cannot move under braking.
The driver should drink water, adjust the seat and mirrors and be honest about alertness. If you already feel tired, do not begin the journey. Change drivers only when the other person is insured, licensed and genuinely rested.
2. Prepare for low sun without losing visibility
Clear the inside and outside of the windscreen because haze and fingerprints intensify glare. Keep sunglasses within reach before moving off, but do not use dark lenses after daylight fades. Use the sun visor without blocking your view, increase the space to the vehicle ahead and expect cyclists, pedestrians and junction signals to be harder to see when the sun is low.
The Highway Code says in Rule 93 to slow down and, if necessary, stop when dazzled by bright sunlight. Stop only in a safe, legal place—not on a motorway hard shoulder or emergency area for a rest.
3. Schedule the final break before tiredness arrives
Rule 91 of the Highway Code says tired driving greatly increases collision risk. It recommends planning sufficient breaks, including at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place. Motorway service areas exist for breaks; emergency areas and hard shoulders do not.
- Choose the service area before joining the motorway.
- Set a realistic stop time rather than waiting for warning signs.
- At the stop, leave the driving seat, walk briefly and reassess alertness.
- Do not rely on open windows, loud music or conversation as a substitute for rest.
4. Keep the final thirty miles simple
After the last stop, reconnect the route, confirm enough fuel or charge and put the phone back into a legal hands-free position. Let a passenger handle messages. If the route changes, continue to a suitable exit or service area before making decisions; do not make sudden lane changes to recover a missed turn.
As daylight fades, switch on lights when needed and keep the windscreen clear. Allow extra space in fresh winds, isolated showers or heavier traffic. The exact conditions vary across the UK, so use a current local forecast rather than assuming the weather at home matches the weather on the route.
Recommended for the return journey
JUFO 3-in-1 Roadside Breakdown Kit — £17.95
The compact kit combines a warning triangle, high-visibility vest and a 2-in-1 window breaker with seat-belt cutter. Store it securely where an adult can reach it. Never place a warning triangle on a motorway carriageway.
5. Know the breakdown plan before moving
If the vehicle develops a problem, try to leave the motorway or reach a service area, emergency area, lay-by or hard shoulder where possible. Do not attempt repairs on the carriageway. If you cannot reach the left lane or a place of relative safety, stay in the vehicle with seat belts and hazard lights on and call 999 for the police. Check the full current advice on the National Highways motorway safety page.
The best finish to a Bank Holiday is an uneventful arrival. Remove the deadline, plan the final break and respond early to tiredness or glare. Those small choices make the last stretch safer for the driver, passengers and everyone sharing the road.
