Yuletide Chaos - 56% of drivers in Brighton set to navigate Christmas perils: urgent safety reminder

By Sharmee MavadiaContributor
Published 18th Dec 2023, 09:57 BST
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New data reveals that 23% of drivers in Brighton feel uncomfortable heading out in the dark because of concerns over visibility, breaking down and extreme weather conditions

New research from what3words has revealed that despite 23% feeling uncomfortable driving in the dark, one in two (56%) of adults in Brighton will be getting behind the wheel to go visit family and friends this Christmas.

With it being the darkest time of year, and the recent extreme weather warnings from the Met Office, including chances of flooding due to heavy rain, windy conditions, and potential frost, ice and snow, the emergency services and the AA are urging members of the public to prepare for long drives by downloading the free what3words app.

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According to the AA, Monday 18th December is forecasted as the worst day for breakdowns this winter. Following the winter solstice on 22nd December – the shortest day of the year with less than 8h of sunlight – the AA is also anticipating 23rd December to be the busiest on the roads this winter.

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Surges in traffic impose a higher risk of breakdowns and accidents and the what3words research indicates that 40% drivers in Brighton claim they would not feel comfortable describing their location to roadside assistance or emergency services in the event of a breakdown. Recent data from the AA confirms this: 40% of people struggle to describe their surroundings when calling for help.

what3words enables drivers to precisely communicate their whereabouts so assistance can be sent quickly and efficiently. Since last year, the AA has seen a 168% increase in members using what3words to report the exact location of where they’ve broken down.

Even though there are more cars on the road at this time of year, driving can be daunting for many. In fact, 23% of adults in Brighton state that they do not feel comfortable driving in the dark winter months. 43% of them say it’s due to a lack of street lighting, and over half blame the icy and snowy roads (57%), and oncoming headlights (57%). 29% also worry about their vehicle breaking down, and 14% are concerned about getting stranded in an unfamiliar location. However, research shows that despite their worries, 47% of adults in Brighton do not check the weather before heading out on a long drive, and nearly 1 in 4 (23%) will embark on a drive regardless of the weather warnings.

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