Roads busy as Christmas getaway freeze continues

Millions of motorists are taking to the roads for the festive getaway as the big freeze continues to make driving conditions "treacherous".

Thursday is likely to be one of the busiest traffic days of the year for shoppers and Christmas travellers. Sub-zero temperatures are predicted and up to 10cm (4ins) of snow is expected in Northumberland and eastern Scotland.

The Highways Agency has suspended 64 miles of roadworks between Christmas Eve and 4 January 2011.

AA president Edmund King said drivers must remember to top up anti-freeze, put de-icer in their windscreen washers and drive on a full tank of petrol. He also said: "The roads in many parts of the country are treacherous. Conditions are not great because of the sub-zero temperatures so try not to brake too harshly and where possible stick to motorways and trunk roads. The day the majority of people stay at home is Christmas Day. Some 60% say they won't venture out at all. If people really are worried and get stuck in the traffic, maybe early in the morning on the 25th might be the time to travel."

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source: BBC