Travel - Summer vacation: ADAC warns of traffic jams on highways
Simultaneously, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland will begin their summer holidays on July 15th. This often means vacation, but also traffic jams. The General German Automobile Club (ADAC) has announced where motorists should plan for additional travel time starting from the weekend.
Accordingly, in these two federal states, the A3, A6, and A61 are primarily affected. In its traffic jam forecast, the ADAC also draws attention to two construction sites: on the A6 (Kaiserslautern – Metz/Saarbrucken) in both directions between Sankt Ingbert-West and Saarbrucken-Fechingen, and on the A8 (Karlsruhe – Saarlouis) likewise in both directions between Kreuz Neunkirchen and Neunkirchen-Oberstadt.
According to the ADAC, all long-distance highways are congested during the summer holidays. For example, a second wave of traffic from North Rhine-Westphalia should be expected at the weekend. It is important to be informed about the current traffic situation before the journey. Travelers can also consider anticycling to avoid traffic jams as much as possible. According to the information provided, weekends and especially Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons should be avoided. Instead, Tuesdays through Thursdays are better suited for longer car trips.
If one gets stuck in a traffic jam, the ADAC advises forming a rescue lane. It is also important to be well-prepared for long waiting times in summer temperatures. The ADAC recommends that one should provide sufficient cold drinks and snacks for the journey. Clothing should also be chosen according to the high temperatures. And to keep children entertained during traffic jams, bring along games.
The ADAC suggests planning extra travel time on the A3, A6, and A61 in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, particularly during the summer vacation, due to construction sites near Kaiserslautern and Saarbrücken. Traffic on all long-distance highways is expected to be congested during this period. Motorists should avoid peak traffic times, such as Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons, and consider traveling on Tuesdays through Thursdays instead. The ADAC recommends being equipped with sufficient cold drinks, snacks, and entertainment for children if stuck in a traffic jam during the summer heat.
