Driving in London During Olympics

Driving in London during the Olympics is more stressful than losing a final by 0.001 of a second. As such, Simon Elstow from the Institute of Advanced Motorists has a few tips:

- When traffic’s heavy people get frustrated and sometimes behave unpredictably. Be wary and anticipate the actions of road users around you.

- Expect a lot more cyclists and pedestrians, and give them plenty of room.

- Listen to traffic updates, and have a plan in mind for an alternative route.

- Sitting in traffic drinks fuel so keep your vehicle moving for as long as possible, even in traffic queues. This is more fuel efficient than stopping and starting.

- Wrongly inflated tyres have a big impact on fuel economy and they are also more vulnerable to damage. Check your tyre pressures regularly when they are cold.

- Be prepared for pedestrians who may not look properly before crossing the road.

Mr Elstow commented: “From the opening of the Olympic lane on the M4 on Monday, we know congestion is going to be an issue. You’re best off avoiding bringing the car into town completely, but if you must drive in leave plenty of time, expect the arterial routes to be bad too, and read up on the rules for the Olympic Games Lanes.” Mr Elstow continued: “If you’re coming in for an event consider the park and ride services as an alternative, but as for any journey check the traffic and plan your route before leaving the house.”