Disabled Driver Questionnaire
We want to produce a driver information programme for our disabled customers. To help us produce the best possible guidance, please take a few minutes to fill in our questionnaire.
Gender Equality Report
Gender Equality Action Plan - a progress report on the first year.
Travel and Delay Times on Variable Message Signs
We are now providing a new national information service for drivers and would welcome your feedback. This follows a successful trial in the West Midlands and South West.
Driver location signs help drivers when reporting incidents
When reporting a problem, use the driver location signs to help the emergency services and Highways Agency find you quickly.
Traffic news on your desktop
Helpful ways to access the latest traffic information when you need it.
Summer Holiday Getaway 2008
Summer Holiday Getaway 2008
The Highways Agency is predicting busy weekends on England's motorways and major 'A' roads as the thousands of families head away for a summer holiday. Routes around airports and ports as well as those heading towards popular holiday destinations are expected to be busy.
At this time of year a lot of people will be taking journeys they are not familiar with so our advice is to plan your journey well and make sure you check the conditions before you leave. It's also a good idea to be prepared. Take food and water with you, especially if you have children in the car, and take a map just in case you need to find an alternative route.
Heading to the South West?
For those road users heading towards the South West, we have specific information advising drivers of the busiest times and places in the region including:
- A303 westbound at Stonehenge between 1pm and 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays;
- M5 southbound between junctions 15 and 21 on Fridays between 11am and 7pm and Saturdays between 7am and 3pm;
- M5 near Exeter between junctions 29 and 30 on Saturdays between 8am and 3pm
Our new leaflet for the South West - Summer Getaway 2008 - gives advice about the likely traffic hot spots and peak times so road users can plan for a safer and more reliable journey to their holiday destination. It also has details of 40 tourist attractions which visitors can enjoy when they arrive in the South West.
You can download the leaflet in PDF format below:
Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is available on the Highways Agency's website. You can use this website to check for current incidents and roadworks and see what is currently being displayed on any electronic motorway sign in England, or even to check the current average speed on a particular stretch of motorway. Visit the website at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.
How to beat the hold-ups:
We are encouraging drivers to plan their routes and stopping points before they set out to ensure they take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours. You can also use our information services to find out where delays are likely and take steps to avoid them. Our newly updated Traffic Radio service is one way of doing this - the service is available 24 hours a day on DAB digital radio and the internet.
We also advise you to give your vehicle a thorough check before any long journey. We have our Highways Agency Traffic Officers out on the road network clearing incidents and helping drivers in trouble. At this time of year they see a lot of unnecessary breakdowns - so check your tyres, lights, oil and of course your fuel level. Waiting for recovery on the hard shoulder with your family isn't the best way to start a holiday.
- Plan your journey before you leave and check for the latest traffic conditions.
- Check if there are any major events such as festivals or sporting events which might cause extra traffic on your route.
- Plan a revised route in case of emergencies.
- Check the Traffic England website for all the latest travel news at Traffic England.
- Tune into Traffic Radio on digital radio before you leave or en route and listen to local traffic bulletins.
- Alternatively you can call the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30, but remember it is against the law to use a mobile phone when you are driving.
- Although we suspend all routine roadworks during the summer, we may have to carry out some emergency repairs and work on a couple of major road schemes.
Keep safe when you're driving:
- Falling asleep at the wheel is the cause of around 20 per cent of accidents on long journeys, so make sure you take regular breaks.
- Don't start a long drive having worked all day and avoid alcoholic drinks before driving.
- To avoid drowsiness make sure you eat and drink regularly.
- Ensure your car has been properly serviced, checking oil and water levels, and tyre pressures before you set out. This also applies to caravans or trailers.
- Don't overload a roof rack, and make sure it is secure.
- Have a good pair of sunglasses. Sun glare, especially at dawn and dusk, can be hazardous.
- Keep your windscreen clean and free of smears which could obscure your driving view.
- Don't drive for more than two and a half hours without a break, or for more than eight hours in a day.
Make sure you have these things in your car in case of an emergency:
- Food and water
- Blankets
- Torch
- Map
- First aid kit and personal medication
