Drivers urged to do one thing before long trips to halve chances of accidents

Drivers planning to see loved ones over the festive period have been warned not to that could double the ruining .

With both the and predicting in the days building up to Christmas, many drivers are planning to visit other parts of the UK to spend time with friends and family.

Whilst is often inevitable, Cat Wiltshire from , advised all drivers travelling long distances to make sure they get a good night’s sleep.

She explained: “Many of us feel exhausted in the run-up to Christmas as it’s a high-intensity period filled with office parties, holiday gatherings, endless Christmas shopping trips and lots of travelling to ensure you’re spending time with all your loved ones.

“The roads are a lot busier around the holiday season which already increases the risk of collisions, and adding fatigue to the mix makes the situation far more dangerous.”

Despite Christmas being a particularly stressful time for many, with Brits worrying about making sure they have enough presents and food, it is all too easy for drivers to go without a few hours of much-needed sleep.

However, doing so can leave a driver feeling worse for wear behind the wheel, particularly if they are travelling on motorways, where motorists are much more likely to get distracted.

Driving whilst tired can result in much slower reaction times, meaning they could fail to act quickly enough to avoid a sudden scenario on the roads.

To help halve the risk of causing an accident, Cat recommended that all drivers get at least eight hours of sleep the night before their long-distance journey.

She advised: “Before driving home for Christmas, it’s crucial to ensure you get enough sleep the night before, especially if you’re planning to head out early to avoid traffic.

“Even going to bed an hour or two earlier before a long car journey can make a big difference, as those getting five to six hours of sleep are twice as likely to crash compared to seven to eight hours.”