UK heatwave travel warning as drivers warned to stay off roads

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe RAC has issued an urgent warning advising motorists to avoid non-essential travel during the current heatwave, particularly if their vehicles lack efficient air conditioning, to mitigate risks and reduce demand on breakdown services. Breakdown assistance wait times are expected to be significantly extended, with the RAC anticipating a 20% increase in call-outs compared to a typical Monday in late June, potentially making this June a record-breaking month for breakdowns. The Met Office's red weather warning for extreme heat, in effect for Wednesday and Thursday, underscores the severity of the conditions, prompting the RAC to urge drivers to take these warnings seriously. Road surfaces are at risk of softening, with temperatures potentially reaching 50C, which can compromise braking, steering, and grip, especially for motorcyclists and cyclists; gritters may be deployed to spread sand to counteract this. The extreme heat is also causing widespread disruption to public transport, with train operators like Great Western Railway and Transport for Wales running reduced services and facing potential cancellations due to infrastructure vulnerabilities in high temperatures. In fullDrivers urged to postpone journeys as record heatwave threatens to melt roadsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Raccontata daindependent.co.ukdailymail.commirror.co.uk