DRIVERS are being given some suggestions to help them plan for stress-free journeys.

With another holiday weekend looming, road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist is offering advice to those heading off on trips.

GEM chief executive Neil Worth said: "We want everyone to have a great time in lovely good weather. So wherever you're heading this bank holiday, take some time to do some journey planning, and make sure both you and your vehicle are in good shape before you hit the road."

The organisation has issued the following advice:

If possible, avoid being on the road at the busiest - or the hottest - times. This is particularly important if you are heading to the seaside, a port or airport, or to a large summer event along with thousands of others. Check in advance for roadworks on your journey, leave plenty of time to help you stay calm and in control at the wheel.

Take time to ensure your car is in good shape before a long journey. Check your fuel or charge levels, deal with any warnings or defects, check tyre pressures and treads and make sure your screenwash is topped up.

Being tired when you're driving raises the risk of a collision, because you're less aware of what's happening around you. Your ability to react is impaired if a risky situation develops. That's why fatigue can be a factor in up to 20% of all road collisions, and up to 25% of fatal and serious crashes1.

So get a good night's sleep before you drive a long journey. Build in time to reach your destination (or your night-stop) without rushing, and try to remove time pressures wherever possible.

Estimates from the insurance industry suggest there are more than 1,000 low-speed collisions in car parks every day, with the average repair bill topping £15002.These collisions lead to door, bumper, wheel and bodywork damage.

Reduce stress by pre-booking a parking place if you're heading to a popular destination. Don't rush when parking: do everything slowly and carefully to reduce stress and minimise the risk of a bump.

If you're planning to have a drink or two, make sure you don't drive afterwards. If you need to drive, then stay on soft drinks. After all, there is no reliable way to calculate how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit.