Bank Holiday delay hotspots revealed with drivers warned against Highway Code rule breaches

22 May 2026

  • Freedom of Information data obtained by Co-op Insurance from National Highways reveals the delay hotspots across England’s road network ahead of the Bank Holiday.
  • The member-owned business’ findings show that the Birmingham Airport junction on the M42 saw the highest average delays last year.
  • Meanwhile, with the road network set to be busy, motorists are being reminded that failing to adhere to Highway Code rules means they could face fines of up to £5,000 or more
  • Ahead of a busy weekend on the roads, Co-op Insurance is encouraging motorists to ensure that they drive safely.

With the UK’s road network expected to be busy this weekend, Freedom of Information data obtained by Co-op Insurance reveals the Late May Bank Holiday delay hotspots.

The member-owned business’ findings from National Highways reveals that the M42 link road to Birmingham Airport and the NEC on the A4545 saw the highest average delays during the Late May Bank Holiday, last year, with high airport and event traffic volumes extending journey times.

With many looking to get away for the May half term, it’s likely that this route to the airport will once again be busy so motorists should allow themselves additional time.

Indeed, the average delay on this stretch of road was over 358 seconds per vehicle per mile, which far exceeds the average delay for May 2025, which was 10.6 seconds per vehicle per mile, according to data from the Department for Transport. *

This was followed by the A616 between the A6102 at Deepcar and A628 junction in Sheffield. This is one of the main routes for those in South Yorkshire to access the Woodhead Pass and subsequently the Peak District, which is particularly popular for walkers during the bank holiday, so it’s little surprise that motorists face long delays on this stretch of road.

Elsewhere, Switch Island just outside Liverpool was also among the busiest roads in England last year, with many motorists likely heading to the beach at Formby, whilst Craven Arms to Wistantow stretch of the A49 in southern Shropshire also experienced long delays over the Late May Bank Holiday in 2025.

Delay chart

England’s road network is expected to be particularly busy this weekend, with long delays likely as people travel for the bank holiday or enjoy day trips. Indeed, in 2024, the Friday before the Late May Bank Holiday saw the more traffic on the roads than any other day that year.

Congestion is often caused by people driving unfamiliar routes, mixed traffic, and busy junctions but following the Highway Code helps reduce hesitation, improve traffic flow and limit unnecessary delays.

Whilst the Highway Code itself is not the law, many of its rules reflect legal requirements. Failing to adhere to the rules could result in a fine of up to £5,000, penalty points or disqualification from driving, and in the most serious of cases you may be sent to prison.**

Paul Evans, Head of Motor at Co-op Insurance said:

“For many of us, this weekend is a great opportunity to take a day trip or enjoy a staycation. However, driving over the bank holiday certainly brings its challenges, with the road networks set to be busy and delays likely, so it’s important that motorists ensure that they drive safely.

“We’d therefore encourage motorists to refresh their knowledge of the Highway Code so that they both avoid penalties and stay safe on the road. A driver that fails to adhere to the rules of the Highway Code, could face points on their licence, a significant fine or even invalidated insurance claims.

“This weekend, we want to encourage drivers to make sure they know the motoring rules, so that they don’t end up out of pocket or on the wrong side of the law but also, most importantly, so that they can keep themselves and others safe.”

The bank holiday unsafe motoring choices that would breach the Highway Code:

  1. Driving too slowly: slow, inconsistent driving on single carriageway roads such as the A49 in southern Shropshire and the A616 in South Yorkshire can lead to congestion building up, as well as a heightened risk of accidents, with drivers performing risky overtakes or braking unexpectedly. Rule 146 encourages drivers to adapt their driving to the appropriate type and condition of road they’re on and therefore, motorists should also take into consideration that it may not be safe to drive to the maximum speed limit.

  2. Driving with an unrestrained dog: if you’re bringing your furry friend on a road trip, they must be suitably restrained as otherwise you risk breaching the Highway Code due to the fact your pet could distract the driver. In the event of an accident, it could result in your insurance not paying out for a claim. “When in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained”. Whilst there’s no direct penalty for breaking the Highway Code, motorists can still be fined up to £5,000 for careless driving if the police find an unrestrained pet in the car.

  3. Using your phone to pay at a drive-thru: you might be tempted to use your phone to pay at a drive-thru but if the engine is running, you are considered “in charge” of the vehicle, even at the serving window. Therefore, paying for your McDonalds with Apple Pay or Google Pay can carry a penalty of six points on your licence and a £200 fine.

  4. Eating meal deals and McDonalds at the wheel: following on from drive-thru warnings, whilst it may be tempting to get back on the road and eat at the wheel, “safe driving needs concentration” and therefore, distractions such as eating should be avoided. If you were to have an accident and the police judge you to have been distracted, it could mean a significant fine or points on your licence.

  5. Splashing pedestrians: With rain looking likely for the Late May Bank Holiday, it’s important to keep in mind that splashing pedestrians isn’t just rude, it’s also a breach of the Highway Code’s Rule 147, which mandates careful driving around pedestrians in wet weather, and is illegal under the Road Traffic Act 1988, even if it’s an accident. Drivers can receive penalties of £100 and three points on their licence. Fines can even reach £5,000 for severe, deliberate or aggressive behaviour.

Moreover, this would also be classed as the driver causing an incident and therefore, if they were to drive away, you’d be in breach of Highway Code’s Rule 283, which states that if you are involved in an incident to stop to give assistance.

  1. Overloading your car with luggage: whilst many will be travelling up and down the country for staycations or day trips, the Highway Code states that drivers must not overload their vehicles. Additionally, windscreens and windows must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision, and you must ensure that items of luggage are securely stowed. Furthermore, bicycles or sporting equipment must not cover the car’s number plate as this is illegal and could result in a maximum fine of £1,000.

-ENDS-

Freedom of Information data obtained from National Highways in March 2026 and based on delays on Britain’s strategic road network during the Late May Bank Holiday in 2025.

Average Delay experienced by individual vehicles based on the difference between the observed and speed limit travel time. Measured in seconds per vehicle per mile (spvpm).

Average delay

https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/

** https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/penalty-table.html

For more information please contact: pressoffice@coop.co.uk

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