The AA Guide To Driving To Festivals

Remember, whether it's Glastonbury or the Green Gathering, it's supposed to be a relaxing weekend – reduce the risk of breakdown and keep stress levels under control with a little preparation and forward planning.

Here's some top tips from the people who know best, The AA, on how to make your drive to and from any festival as safe and comfortable as possible.

GETTING THERE

• Fill with fuel before you go and again when around half-full rather than wait for the light.
• Check that, oil, and coolant levels are up to the mark (refer to the handbook if in any doubt).
• Clean all glass and mirrors, and fill the screen-wash bottle – it’s a pain running out on a long journey.
• Check tyre condition and pressures - increasing them for heavy loads if necessary. The correct pressures will be given in the car's handbook.
• Use AA Routeplanner and check AA Roadwatch for traffic delays or roadworks that could affect your journey.
• Make a longer weekend of it – if you can, why not go earlier when the roads in the area should be quieter rather than leave it to the last minute.
• Car share – to cut the costs and share the driving.  Check with your insurers to make sure that  all drivers are covered to drive the car.
• Consider public transport instead of driving – it’s the greener choice and can mean a quicker get away at the end of the festival.

ONCE YOU'RE THERE

• Make sure lights and everything else are turned off when you leave the car – the last thing you want when you get back to the car is a flat battery.
• Remove all valuables and lock the car.  (Satnavs are particularly attractive to thieves – take it with you and clean away any marks left on the windscreen by the mount.)
• Make a careful note of where you’ve parked – look up and down the row for landmarks that will help you find the car and consider attaching a flag or similar to the roof or aerial. Bear in mind that it might be pitch black when you leave!
• Keep your keys safe, secure and dry – key replacement on newer cars is costly and can take several days if reprogramming is necessary.

LEAVING

• Don’t rush to leave as soon as the last act’s finished – thousands will do the same so you’ll only end-up sitting in endless queues in the car park.
• Check traffic before you go – you can get live traffic reports on your mobile from AA Roadwatch by calling 401100.  Why not put the number in your phone before you go.
• If it’s been raining then the biggest challenge is likely to be getting out of the car park.  Rubber mats, pieces of carpet or loose straw placed under the driven wheels will help traction if the field’s turned to mud whilst there’s bound to be plenty of help around too.  Put something suitable in the boot just in case.

TIREDNESS

You’re unlikely to have slept much during the weekend so special care’s required on the way home
• Don't drive for more than two and a half hours without a break.
• Share the driving with others if you can – check insurance.
• Frequent short stops (of at least 20 minutes) are better than one long stop.
• Avoid heavy meals and alcohol before driving.
• Follow the advice in the Highway Code and counter sleepiness by taking a short nap (up to 15 minutes) or drink two cups of strong coffee.
• Remember that it's illegal to stop on the motorway hard shoulder, except in an emergency.

More summer motoring advice can be found HERE.
More breakdown advice can be found HERE.
More security advice can be found HERE.
AA Roadwatch 401100 can be found HERE.
AA Roadwatch can be found HERE.