MORE than 80 per cent of people in the UK will be relying on their car over the festive period, according to new research.

The study by Honda involved 2,000 people who were asked to reveal their travel plans for the Christmas holiday.

The most common number of trips that Brits plan on making is between four and six (35 per cent), covering a distance of less than 50 miles.

People in Northern Ireland will be most reliant on a car over the festive period (94 per cent), followed by people in the East Midlands, the South West, and Yorkshire and the Humber (each 85 per cent).

Those in London are set to be the least reliant on a car, with just 28 per cent hitting the road over Christmas.

Roads are typically busier at this time of year, and the weather conditions can be more volatile, so it's important to drive carefully and be aware of other road users.

Honda UK's research suggests that people prefer to travel with company as more than two thirds (70 per cent) are joined in the car by a partner, friend and or child/children.

Travelling alone is significantly less likely. With only 11 per cent of those surveyed doing so over the festive period.