CHAOS AS BIG BREAK BEGINS
THE great Christmas exodus has begun with millions of families heading off for a 10-day Christmas break.
Rail stations and airports were packed and motorways clogged, with 30million cars expected to hit the roads over the festive season.
All three northbound lanes of the M1 near Ossett, West Yorks, were ® closed following an accident and a lorry fire closed the southbound section of the M40.
Traffic was crawling on many other routes as millions finished work last night for an extended break lasting until January 2. Motoring experts are expecting 11 broken-down drivers to call for help every minute.
Police will be making their presence known to ensure motorists do not drink and drive.
And delivery drivers were warned to slow down after 130 motorists – many of them couriers – were clocked breaking the speed limits in Devon and Cornwall.
Lunatic
Three couriers were nabbed doing more than 100mph.
Traffic police warned that after dealing with the speeding drivers they would be shopping them to their bosses.
A spokesman said: “This will be followed up with employers, and we will be looking at delivery schedule pressures.”
A source at Thames Valley Police added: “The country’s roads are bad enough at this time of year without these lunatic courier drivers breaking the speed limits.”