Christmas Eve Traffic Could Spread Out Due to Sunday Holiday
This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, which could lead to a spread out of car traffic, according to Sara Lindström, press communicator at the Swedish Transport Administration. Many people have the opportunity to travel throughout Saturday as they are off the day before Christmas.
Lindström predicts that Friday and Saturday will see a lot of traffic as people head to their celebrations, with a similar rush expected on the 25th and 26th as everyone heads home. In addition, after Christmas, there will be a few more days where traffic is spread out, she says.
Last year, nearly 2,000 accidents occurred between December 22 and January 3, with major European roads being hit hardest. The Swedish Transport Administration recommends that travelers choose larger roads, as they are usually better maintained. They also advise travelers to choose roads with center rails, as this reduces the risk of collision accidents, and to maintain speed and adapt it to the road conditions.
Sara Lindström also advises travelers to start their journeys in good time, to be rested and avoid stressing while driving. Keeping a distance to the car in front and taking leg stretchers if traveling long distances is also important. It is also recommended to equip your car for winter, carrying a snow brush, ice scraper, jumper cables, and a reflective vest in case of a breakdown.
Tobbe Lundell, press manager at SJ, says that the company has good staffing and is working to have their vehicles in good condition before the Christmas weekend. They follow the situation and have contractors ready to clear snow and combat slippage if needed.
For those planning to travel by train, Lundell recommends not bringing too much luggage and having a margin of time due to potential weather disruptions.
Just like car and train traffic, air travel is also expected to increase ahead of the Christmas holiday, according to Peter Wärring, press officer at Swedavia. He advises travelers to arrive at the airport early and check in digitally from home. Additionally, he suggests packing Christmas food and gifts carefully and being prepared before the security check.
Overall, it seems that adequate planning, preparation, and patience will be key to a safe and smooth holiday travel experience.