KEY POINTS:
LONDON - Motorists face the worst traffic congestion of the year on Friday as thousands are predicted to take to the roads at the start of school half-term, according to a report by Trafficmaster and the RAC Foundation.
Their study said that the October "black Friday" caused more problems than that experienced before the Easter or Christmas getaways.
It said there would be a longer rush hour and more congestion, and predicted this year's situation could be 10 per cent worse than was experienced in 2003.
"It seems odd to think a Friday in October is busier than Christmas or Easter, but the 'black Friday' phenomenon is very real, and one all drivers should be prepared for," said Philip Hale, of Trafficmaster, a satellite navigation company.
"The first steps in reducing the effect of congestion are identifying and avoiding it. Just a minority of motorists re-planning their routes or the timing of their journeys could help make sure this Friday isn't the worst of all."
The report also rated the western section of the M25 London orbital as Britain's worst congestion hotspot, replacing the M1 in Hertfordshire.
- REUTERS
