According to experts at Safer Motoring, a website designed to help people plan and prepare for long drives, planning and preparation is critical when going on a lengthy car journey and most breakdowns take place as a result of poor car maintenance.

A spokesman for Safer Motoring said: "The majority of accidents happen in the first few hours after leaving the house because people are stressed out, so save yourself the hassle by planning a checklist ahead of the journey.

"As the driver, the last thing you want on any car journey is to depart with a frazzled mind."

The Safer Motoring team suggests motorists use the AA and RAC's online route planners to pick a route that will avoid places likely to become congested at rush hours.

Driving at night is a good idea if you have children, as they might sleep through the journey.

Luggage should be evenly distributed in the car and avoid placing any objects where they could fly forwards if you break suddenly.

The tread on the tyres should be at least 1.6mm, ideally 3mm, to avoid the risk of aquaplaning if you break while driving over a water-covered surface. Tyre pressure should also be within the car manufacturer's recommended standards.

Check the windscreen wiper reservoir is full and the windscreen wipers are not damaged.

Most vital of all is to check the water and oil levels to avoid overheating or a breakdown.

Jane Blackman, 52, a gardener living on Midland Road, Wellingborough, said: "I think driving over bank holiday weekends is too stressful.

"You get so much traffic and the weather is usually rubbish when you get there anyway.

"I have been away on previous bank holidays and seen people broken down at the side of the road. My best advice to people would be to leave either really late or really early.

"Failing that just stay at home – Northamptonshire is beautiful at this time of year."