Tips against traffic jams: 7 tricks for drivers

Vacation time is traffic jam. To make your trip on vacation as relaxed as possible, we have put together tips and tricks against traffic jams for you.

Tips against traffic jams: plan your journey correctly

It always becomes problematic when several federal states start their vacation at the same time. A holiday calendar will help you plan.

• Regardless of this, Fridays and Saturdays (as there are bed changes in the accommodations) are the busiest. On these days, if possible, don't set off at the times when everyone starts on vacation.
• If your journey to the destination is long, start from Friday to Saturday in the night. Plan the route so that you can get past known traffic hubs as early as possible.
• For shorter distances, it is not worth starting until around 4 p.m. The biggest traffic jams are often already over. Clarify in advance with your holiday home what time you can arrive.
• If you are not reliant on moving into your home on Friday or Saturday, you should plan to arrive on a Tuesday or Wednesday. The least congestion is possible on these days.

The return trip also needs to be planned

So that the recovery is not gone again immediately, you should also include the trip home in the planning.

• Most vacationers want to enjoy the free time until the last minute. Therefore it gets really crowded on the highways on Saturdays or Sundays.
• If you have to drive home for many hours, you should start as early as possible to avoid the avalanches. So you are already relaxed on the couch at home when the rest is still stuck in traffic.
• If you have a shorter journey home, you should still use the day for excursions and only drive home in the evening.

Keep an eye on the holidays of our foreign neighbors

Germany is a transit country. For example, start your vacation, if Holland and France are also on vacation, you can be sure of a traffic jam.

• So keep an eye on the countries close to your state and start driving sooner or later accordingly.
• Travel to France, avoid the first weekend in July and September. It gets particularly crowded on the French motorways. In 1980 a 176 km long metal avalanche from Paris to Lyon even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Avoiding traffic jams by driving evenly

Avoid speed differences that result in hectic braking maneuvers or lane changes.

• Heavy braking slows traffic even more slowly.
• If all road users drive between 100 and 120 km / h and keep a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front, traffic jams can be counteracted.
• Often, threading does not work and there is also a risk of jamming. Do it right if you are late in getting into the other lane before a bottleneck with the zip method.

Only leave the motorway when it is completely closed

Secondary routes are usually not designed for heavy traffic, and if many road users leave the motorway, you will not have gained anything here either - you will also be stuck in traffic.

• Instead, use the time for a break and drive to the next rest area. Stretch your legs.
• If you have packed a picnic bag for on the go, find a cozy place and relax with a small meal.
• In order to pass the time for children, you should always have a few games at hand for the journey.
• However, a change of motorway can make sense. Find out regularly about the latest traffic jams by radio or internet or use your navigation device. So you can switch to another highway if necessary.

Alternatives for drivers

If you already know before your vacation that the journey will be stressful and traffic jams can hardly be avoided, check alternative transport options.

• There are car trains in many countries. Even if the service is not exactly cheap, it can still be worth it: You can take at least part of the trip relaxed.
• If you don't necessarily need a vehicle at your holiday destination, traveling by train or long-distance bus is also a good alternative. If necessary, rent a rental car on site for a few days.

In case you are stuck in traffic

As a driver, you should behave properly in a traffic jam so that things can move quickly again soon.

• Drive slowly towards the end of the traffic jam and make sure there is enough safety clearance. Briefly alert the following vehicles to the traffic jam using the hazard warning lights.
• A rescue alley must be kept clear for rescue and police vehicles. In the case of a three-lane freeway, this is between the middle and the left lane.
• You should only leave your vehicle in extreme emergencies. Always open doors carefully. There is a risk of accidents from motorcyclists who drive past cars again and again - even if this is not actually allowed.
• If you move forward again, do not press the accelerator pedal immediately, but adapt to the speed. If the driver accelerates and brakes hectically here, the traffic jams will dissolve less quickly.

Before going on vacation, you should safely stow your luggage in the car. In the next post, read how you can do this.

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