What Car? Q&A - How can I avoid jams?

Q: Is there a method of getting advance warning of congestion on motorways and A-roads without going to the expense of a full GPS receiver? I always travel with a co-driver and a full set of maps so can plot a route around any blockage given sufficient warning.
Lyn Brooks

A: There are several ways to avoid traffic congestion if you are planning a journey. Before you set off, you can check the internet for traffic problems and jams. Sites to check include leading motoring organisations, as well as the BBC and the Highways Agency website, (www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo and www.trafficmap.co.uk.) Some regional TV stations also carry traffic updates, and Teletext services carry details of road delays, too.

If you're trying to avoid jams while on the move, you should be able to keep up with developments on the radio. Most modern car radios have a traffic report function, activated by a button marked TP or TA. This automatically tunes your radio to local traffic broadcasts when they commence, and then returns to what you were listening to before when they finish.

Many mobile phone operators also have a traffic alert hotline which, when called, tells you of the traffic in your area and the affected roads. Contact your operator for details.