[Travel] (not) Chaos on the Road

[Arthritic Toe]

Every year we have a story like this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42445966

- predicting doom and chaos on the roads on the last working day before the Christmas break. It is then followed by shock and surprise when it turns out to be quieter than a usual Friday. Why are these organisations incapable of taking what they discovered last year and modifying their predictions in the light of the observed facts?

Maybe its the same affliction that affects opinion pollsters.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

One possible explanation could be (although I don't totally buy into it) that people who were planning to get on the road read the story and think 'forget that' and stay put. You get lots of people thinking the same way and chaos is averted.

 

[beorhthelm]

Its just lazy journalism. organisation puts out a press release, junior writes it up as a story and off to the pub by lunch time.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

People will always believe stuff they can read

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[Pavilionaire]

It gives people something to talk about when they get together on Christmas Day. The roads and the weather alone will get the average British family through to the cheese course.

 

[dazzer6666]

Just been up to Gatwick and back. Traffic completely, er, normal
Went into town this morning. Car park half full, no queue at all at the butchers
Weather is grey and very mild with little wind, like most Decembers I can remember in recent years. Forecast is for the same for the next several days. The much-headlined 'Arctic Christmas' doesn't seem to be happening........

All very boring

 

[Notters]

One possible explanation could be (although I don't totally buy into it) that people who were planning to get on the road read the story and think 'forget that' and stay put. You get lots of people thinking the same way and chaos is averted.

Until fecking Sunday when I've got to drive to Devon.

 

[Driver8]

I have a 600 mile trip to the Amex and back tomorrow so it had better not be carnage on the roads.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

Just been up to Gatwick and back. Traffic completely, er, normal
Went into town this morning. Car park half full, no queue at all at the butchers
Weather is grey and very mild with little wind, like most Decembers I can remember in recent years. Forecast is for the same for the next several days. The much-headlined 'Arctic Christmas' doesn't seem to be happening........

All very boring

That story should see you through to lunchtime Xmas day

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[FIVESTEPS]

Until fecking Sunday when I've got to drive to Devon.

I drove down to Tiverton on Xmas day left at 9 and arrived at 12.30,barely a car on the road and Xmas music on the radio,one of the nicest journeys I've done.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Just been up to Gatwick and back. Traffic completely, er, normal
Went into town this morning. Car park half full, no queue at all at the butchers
Weather is grey and very mild with little wind, like most Decembers I can remember in recent years. Forecast is for the same for the next several days. The much-headlined 'Arctic Christmas' doesn't seem to be happening........

All very boring

Quelle surprise.

 

[The_Viper]

It's always dead, even in downtown Charlotte today I expect it to be a deadzone at 5pm when I go home. People either leave early or they're already off due to kids etc. These last few days before Xmas and other holidays are always the best for traffic not the worst.

 

[Notters]

I drove down to Tiverton on Xmas day left at 9 and arrived at 12.30,barely a car on the road and Xmas music on the radio,one of the nicest journeys I've done.

Exactly what I suggested but my wife says we need to be there on Christmas eve

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

It's always dead, even in downtown Charlotte today I expect it to be a deadzone at 5pm when I go home. People either leave early or they're already off due to kids etc. These last few days before Xmas and other holidays are always the best for traffic not the worst.

Hmmm when people bandy about the words deadzone and usa it gives me the shivers, especially if you add the phrase gun control, (or lack of it)..

 

[AmexRuislip]

My advice, avoid the M25 unless you feel the need to sit in a car park for for hours on end.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

One possible explanation could be (although I don't totally buy into it) that people who were planning to get on the road read the story and think 'forget that' and stay put. You get lots of people thinking the same way and chaos is averted.

And likewise, there will be folk desperately queuing in a futile quest for tickets for the sold out FA cup round 3 game shortly

 

[LamieRobertson]

My advice, avoid the M25 unless you feel the need to sit in a car park for for hours on end.

But isn’t that year long advice

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Quiet in Hastings and Battle today.

Drove from Bath yesterday and very quiet. Even managed some Xmas shopping at the Amex and again no crowds in sight.

 

[vegster]

My advice, avoid the M25 unless you feel the need to sit in a car park for for hours on end.

This is true whatever the season.

 

[dazzer6666]

I drove down to Tiverton on Xmas day left at 9 and arrived at 12.30,barely a car on the road and Xmas music on the radio,one of the nicest journeys I've done.

Going down to Tivvy (well, Uffculme but close enough) next Thursday evening. Gambling on an evening run between Xmas and New Year being pretty quiet.........can be under 3 hours from Burgess Hill if clear.