Drivers have been warned to expect over 26,000 breakdowns on January 2 as millions of people plan to make their returns to work following the festive season.

Green Flag has estimated that tomorrow, the annual daily average number of breakdown calls will skyrocket by 88%.

The increase is a result of the many vehicles that were left inactive over the Christmas break shortly after being in use consistently.

Now that the festive period is over, millions of drivers are expected to use their vehicles tomorrow to go back to work, leading experts to issue a warning that roads could become blocked with numbers of broken-down vehicles.

With the expected rise in breakdowns, motorists should expect significant transport disruptions as breakdown services prepare for a busy day.

Green Flag mechanics are getting ready to sort out various problems that will affect drivers up and down the country, including flat batteries, punctured tyres and vehicles failing to start.

The company’s data anticipates that every minute, there will be around 18 cars that need some sort of assistance or breakdown service tomorrow.

That means breakdown teams up and down the country will have to respond to issues within approximately every three seconds.

Green Flag Managing Director Katie Lomas said: “That first day working back post the festive break can be hectic as many people start their vehicles for the first time in a couple of weeks.”

The concerns aren’t just for tomorrow; there are also worries that a similar thing could happen on Monday (January 6), when many people will return to a standard routine at work. The RAC says millions of drivers, that the day will see “flat battery blues.” 

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “The first working day after Christmas is typically the busiest of the year for our patrols attending drivers suffering the ‘flat battery blues’.

“The first day back at work after the Christmas break is often bad enough, but it can be thoroughly depressing if nothing happens when you go to start the ignition.

“Cars left unused over the holidays, such as second vehicles left parked up, are often a breakdown statistic waiting to happen.”