The late May bank holiday is often when UK driving starts to feel like summer again. This year, the road-safety message is simple: expect busier roads, hotter cars and longer journeys than usual. RAC reported that almost 19 million leisure car trips were expected over the bank holiday period, while the Met Office highlighted unusually warm conditions for late May across much of the UK.
For families, new drivers and anyone planning a longer return journey after the long weekend, that combination matters. Heavy traffic increases fatigue and frustration, while warm weather puts more strain on tyres, cooling systems and people inside the car. A little preparation before setting off can make a delayed journey much safer and less stressful.
Before you leave: check the car, not just the route
Most drivers check traffic apps before a long trip, but the vehicle itself deserves the same attention. Start with tyre pressure and tread depth, including the spare if your car has one. Underinflated tyres can run hotter, wear faster and affect braking distance. Check coolant and screenwash levels, and make sure your windscreen is clean inside and out so low sun does not turn glare into a visibility problem.
Pack drinking water, snacks, any essential medication and a phone charger where passengers can reach them. If you are travelling with children, add extra water and plan breaks before everyone feels tired. On hot days, never leave children, older passengers or pets in a parked car, even for a short stop.
Build a practical in-car emergency kit
A good emergency kit is not about preparing for dramatic situations; it is about being ready for ordinary problems that become difficult on a busy motorway or remote rural road. Keep a torch, high-visibility vest, first-aid basics, warning triangle where legal and appropriate, gloves, a power bank, water and a compact blanket in the vehicle.
One item many drivers overlook is a dedicated car escape tool. The JUFO car window breaker combines a hardened window breaker with a seatbelt cutter, giving drivers and passengers a simple option if a door or belt cannot be released normally after an incident. It should be kept within reach from the driver or front passenger seat, not buried at the bottom of the boot with luggage.
Keep a JUFO escape tool within reach
If you are building a bank holiday emergency kit, add a compact escape tool to the cabin rather than the boot. JUFO tools combine a spring-loaded window breaker and seatbelt cutter, designed for quick access by the driver or front passenger.
JUFO 2 Pack Car Escape Tool
Best for keeping one tool in the front and one near rear passengers, or covering two cars at home.
From £16.99
JUFO Two-in-one Window Breaker
A compact single-car option for drivers who want a simple window breaker and seatbelt cutter close to hand.
From £8.95
Driving in warm bank holiday traffic
Long queues can make even confident drivers impatient. Leave more space than usual, keep air moving through the cabin and pull over safely if you feel tired or unwell. If your temperature warning light comes on, do not ignore it. Find a safe place to stop, switch off the engine and wait before checking anything under the bonnet. Opening a hot cooling system can be dangerous.
Warm weather also brings more cyclists, motorcyclists, caravans and holiday traffic onto UK roads. Give vulnerable road users extra room, especially on rural A roads where bends and hedges reduce visibility. If you are towing or carrying roof boxes, allow for longer braking distances and check that loads are secure before joining faster roads.
If the weather changes, slow the plan down
Even during a warm spell, UK weather can change quickly. Heavy showers after dry weather can make road surfaces slippery, and localised flooding can appear on familiar roads. Never drive through floodwater if you cannot judge the depth, and avoid following another vehicle through simply because it made it across.
The best safety habit is to treat the journey as part of the holiday rather than an obstacle before it. Check the forecast, leave earlier, share driving if possible and keep essential safety tools close to hand. A prepared car is calmer, safer and better equipped for the delays that come with busy UK roads.
Sources checked: RAC late May bank holiday traffic update and Met Office bank holiday warmth briefing, reviewed on 26 May 2026.
