Increased traffic volumes on roads  

Motorists are being warned to expect a significant increase in traffic on main routes as a large volume of motorists undertake cross-country journeys to visit family for Christmas.
According to AA Ireland, traffic levels in Ireland have been at their heaviest in recent years and are unlikely to relent over the season. The organisation expects that commuter traffic on main routes around the country peaked last on Friday. 
The AA is also reminding motorists who are planning a long-distance journey by car of the importance of car maintenance at this time of year and, in particular, to check that their tyres and lights are in satisfactory condition.
 Last year, AA Rescue, the organisation’s breakdown assistance service, attended an average of 343 breakdowns per day between Thursday December 20 and Saturday December 22, the peak driving home from Christmas window, and a further 251 and 63 breakdowns on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day respectively. Meanwhile, between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, AA Rescue attended 464 car breakdowns. 
“Breakdowns can happen at any time so unfortunately for our AA Rescue team there’s no such thing as a day off, even on Christmas Day, as we expect to receive a significant number of breakdown callouts in the coming days. In fact, this week has already been a very busy one as we saw one of our busiest days of winter on Monday 16 December, with almost 550 breakdown callouts.” Faughnan added. “Before you undertake any lengthy journey we recommend that you check your windscreen washer levels, that all your lights are working and that you have adequate thread on your tyres. Doing so will help keep your and your family safe during any journeys you are making over the Christmas period and also reduce the risk of experiencing delays due to a breakdown.” 
The AA app is now the quickest way for members to report a breakdown and allows users to track their Patrol’s arrival on their smartphone – even on Christmas Day. The new app also contains to-the-minute Roadwatch updates for all traffic routes.
 
AA rescue tips 
 Not all service stations are open on the 25th remember to fuel-up in advance using the correct fuel type
Make sure to have a spare wheel as a lot of tyre centres and garages are closed 
To avoid your battery going flat remember to switch off all headlights, interior lights, heaters and the radio when leaving your car 
Keep a pair of jump leads in your boot 
Prepare an in-car safety kit to include: a demisting cloth, de-icer, shovel, salt/sand, AA Membership card, torch, warning triangle