Drivers heading back home for Christmas are being warned they could face fines of up to £2,500 if they overload their cars during the festive rush. New research carried out by Censuswide for car-sharing platform Turo has revealed just how pressured Christmas driving has become. It found that more than one in four motorists (26%) say the journey home for Christmas is the most stressful drive they make all year.

While bad weather and heavy traffic play a part in this, many drivers admit the emotional strain of wanting to arrive safely and on time for family celebrations adds to the anxiety. Other festive driving flashpoints were also revealed.

One in five drivers (20%) said tackling the post-Christmas food shop with a packed trolley is especially stressful, while 16% struggle with Christmas Day traffic. Meanwhile, 14% dread giving lifts home from Christmas parties, particularly when passengers have been drinking.

The study also shows that Christmas journeys are far more crowded than everyday trips. On average, drivers carry four people per festive journey.

More than a third (38%) admitted they have filled every seat in their car, while a worrying 5% confessed to squeezing in six passengers, something that is both unsafe and illegal.

Experts have warned that the real danger comes when full cars are then loaded with suitcases, presents and shopping. Overweight vehicles can suffer from poorer braking, reduced handling and blocked visibility, precisely when roads are busiest and conditions are at their worst.

Under Highway Code Rule 98, drivers must not overload their vehicle. Ignoring this rule can result in three penalty points and fines of up to £2,500 for carrying too many passengers.

If a driver’s view is obstructed, they could also face fines of up to £300 and receive as many as 11 penalty points. Rule 161 further states that drivers must use all mirrors effectively, meaning stacked gifts or tall middle-seat passengers blocking the rear window could land motorists in trouble.

Despite the pressures, festive journeys aren’t all bad. Around 28% of drivers say travelling through towns to see Christmas lights is their most magical drive of the year, while 22% cherish the Christmas morning trip to see family. Emotionally, 28% associate festive driving with happiness, 24% with excitement and 22% describe it as magical.

Rory Brimmer, UK MD of Turo, said: “These findings reveal a hidden crisis on our roads this Christmas. An average of 2.5 extra journeys, 38% packing five people into their cars, and the emotional weight of ‘getting home for Christmas’ – it all adds up.

“But here’s the real concern: if you’re already squeezing five people into your car, then adding luggage, presents, and Christmas shopping on top, you’re creating a genuinely dangerous situation. The 5% illegally cramming in six people are putting lives at risk.

“The solution is simple: upgrade to a larger vehicle for the festive period through Turo. If your car isn’t big enough, rent one that is.

“Better yet, get family members to rent their own car on Turo – free up space, eliminate the stress of multiple lift duties, and most importantly, stay safe. You don’t need to own a bigger car, you just need access to one when Christmas demands it.”