Happy Traffic Jam Stock Photo weekend

For motoring organisation press offices, a bank holiday weekend is a low-hanging fruit. Harriet Harmony from Camel Tow Breakdown says this; George Washington-Thornley from What's The Worst That Could Happen Insurance says that.

A press release often comes with a buzzword. At Easter, the RAC's Alice Simpson predicted ‘carmageddon' for holidaymakers. A few weeks later, she's anticipating a ‘crescendo of cars’.

What can we expect over the spring bank holiday weekend? A ‘cataclysm of congestion’?

It's always the same routes at invariably the same times, so the best advice is to go somewhere quieter when there are fewer people on the road. Or, you know, stay at home.

On the plus side, the does-the-pope-poo-in-the-woods predictability of these ‘news’ stories does present us with the joy that is the traffic jam stock photo. Who hasn't zoomed in on a photo in the hope of spotting something rare or interesting?

You're on Petrolblog, so that's a rhetorical question.

There's a good chance that the photo will include a Nissan Almera. Check out the main photo at the top of the page. And, yes, before you hit the MOT history website, it is still on the road. Indeed, it passed its last test in March 2024.

The Toyota Avensis is another favourite, along with the Ford 'Backbone of Britain' Transit, Toyota Prius and Peugeot models of varying degrees of ropiness.

These photos are snapshots of mundanity. Witness the Range Rover Sport driver tailgating the guy in the Honda Jazz who steadfastly refuses to return to the inside lane. Give yourself a bonus point if you spotted the UK-registered Honda Freed (From Desire).

Whatever you're up to this weekend, have a good one and try to avoid becoming part of a traffic jam stock photo.

All photos: iStock