Today is the worst on the roads (From Worcester News)

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Drivers will face the worst 24-hour congestion of the year today, a report has warned.

A combination of factors, including the half-term getaway and possibly dark and wet weather have prompted today to be dubbed "Black Friday" by the report's compilers - Trafficmaster and the RAC Foundation.

The worst part of the day is expected to be 4pm-6pm, with other contributory factors being high levels of commuting, lots of commercial traffic and a rise in accidents.

Trafficmaster spokesman Phil Hale said: "It seems odd to think a Friday in October is busier than Christmas or Easter, but the 'Black Friday' phenomenon is very real and one all drivers should be prepared for."

According to the report, if the current trend continues, this year's Black Friday congestion could be as much as 10% worse than 2003.

Elsewhere in the report, the nation's worst congestion hotspot was revealed. Up from second position six months ago, the western sector of the M25 near Heathrow was officially named the most-congested stretch of road in Britain.

The report also reveals the real traffic speed of the UK's motorways. The average traffic flow speed of motorways is 67.5 mph, although there are significant differences in their overall efficiency.

Scotland can boast both the most efficient motorway - the A74(M), with an overall real average speed of 69.9mph - and the least efficient - the M8, at only 53.4mph.

Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, said: "Today is named 'Black Friday' due to the expected extra congestion on the roads, but it could equally be 'Black Friday' for being the worst day of the week for fatalities and serious injuries on the road.

"More car users are killed and injured between 4 and 6 pm on a Friday night than at any other time during the week. So to avoid 'Black Friday' becoming 'Fatal Friday', motorists should take extra care on the roads."

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