Drive Smart, Stay Safe: Read Motor Group’s Bonfire Night Survival Guide

More Than Just a Spark

November 5th is a night of dazzling fireworks, roaring bonfires, and the magic of Guy Fawkes. It's a cherished UK tradition that draws huge crowds out of the house and onto the streets, making it one of the most exciting—and potentially challenging—nights of the year for drivers.

At Read Motor Group, whether you drive the practical efficiency of a Hyundai or MG, the rugged versatility of a Suzuki or Jeep, or the high-performance spirit of an Alfa Romeo, your safety is always our priority.

The greatest danger on Bonfire Night isn't the debris—it’s the distraction. The atmosphere of fun, coupled with low light and noise, creates a perfect storm of hazards that requires every driver to be hyper-vigilant.

Our comprehensive guide will help you navigate the chaos, protect your vehicle, and ensure that the only sparks flying are the ones safely in the sky and keep you safe. Get ready to plan your route, secure your parking, and drive through the fireworks season like a pro.

The Stats Speak: Don't Dismiss the Risk

It's easy to assume this is just harmless fun, but official data shows a worrying truth. The increased traffic, crowds, and dazzling effects lead to a measurable spike in incidents:

In the UK, government road safety data recorded nearly 300 road accidents on November 5th alone in 2024, with over 1,300 accidents occurring across the wider week of Bonfire Night celebrations.

Furthermore, research shows that over half of UK drivers (57%) find loud noises and flashes from fireworks a serious distraction while driving, with one in three admitting they have been startled by a sudden bang.

This isn't an evening for casual driving; it's a night that demands your full attention. Here’s how to manage the dynamic risks.

Pre-Drive Safety Checklist

Before you even start the engine, run these quick checks—they are vital, especially for a night where you’ll be sharing the road with so many others:

• Headlights and Rear Lights: Check all bulbs are working (dipped, full beam, and rear). In smoky or low-light conditions, your lights are essential for being seen. For a smaller car like the MG3 Hybrid+ or Hyundai i20, functional lights are your primary safety feature against larger traffic.
  
• Wipers and Fluid: Bonfire smoke and fine ash particles can quickly coat your windscreen. Ensure your wiper blades are in good condition and your washer fluid reservoir is topped up. You may need to clear your screen multiple times on the way home.
  
• Clean Screens: Use a proper glass cleaner to wipe down your windscreen, inside and out. Any grease or dirt on the inside will cause oncoming headlights and fireworks to scatter, intensifying glare and drastically reducing your night vision.

Handling Distractions and Crowds

• The Flashing Hazard: When a firework bursts, the sudden flash can momentarily impair your vision, especially at night. If you are near a large display, actively look for the next safe place to pull over before the main display begins. If you cannot pull over, slow right down and increase the distance between your Hyundai TUCSON and the vehicle in front, allowing yourself more reaction time if the car ahead brakes suddenly.
  
  
• The Human Hazard (Pedestrians): People, especially children, are excited, often poorly lit, and their attention is focused on the sky, not the road. Drive at a crawl in residential areas and near public parks. Your Jeep's higher seating position gives you better visibility over nearby parked cars, but you must still anticipate a child or pet darting out from between vehicles.
  
  
• Silence is Safety: Loud bangs can be genuinely startling. Turn down your radio and ask passengers to keep conversation to a minimum when approaching a major event venue. A startle reflex can lead to an involuntary twitch of the steering wheel—keep both hands firmly on the wheel and focus.
  
  
• Smoky Conditions: Firework smoke can linger, especially in dips, hollows, or during damp weather. If you enter a thick cloud of smoke, immediately slow down, switch your headlights to dipped beam (to reduce glare), and consider using your fog lights if visibility drops severely (but switch them off immediately once visibility improves).

Pets and the Power of Space

Loud, unexpected noises cause immense stress for pets, often leading them to panic and try to flee.

• Never Take Them: It is strongly advised never to take your pet to a fireworks display, even if they seem calm. Their hearing is far more sensitive than ours, and the noise can be genuinely painful.
• A Safe Retreat: If you must travel on Bonfire Night, ensure your pet is securely confined in a carrier and consider using a comforting blanket or pheromone spray to help keep them calm. Having a large, quiet vehicle is a huge benefit here. The substantial cabin and boot space of SUVs like the Hyundai SANTA Fe, the MG HS, or the fully electric IONIQ 5 offer the perfect secure, roomy environment for a large crate or pet carrier, separating them effectively from exterior noise and visual distraction.

Think ahead

Route Planning & Traffic Avoidance: The Art of the Early Exit

The biggest headache of Bonfire Night driving isn't the distance—it's the gridlock around the venue. A few minutes of planning can save you an hour of frustrating, stop-start driving.

Check Local Closures Early:

Bonfire Night events often mean temporary road closures, one-way systems, and no-waiting zones around parks and fields. Use local council websites or traffic apps like Waze or Google Maps in the days leading up to the event to check for known restrictions.

The Golden Hour Rule:

If the fireworks start at 7:30 PM, do not aim to arrive at 7:15 PM. Aim to arrive at least 60 minutes early. Not only will this secure you a better parking spot, but it also ensures you avoid the single biggest surge of traffic.

Designate a 'Drop-Off' Driver:

If you have a group, consider having one person drop everyone off a short walk away from the main venue entrance and then continue on to a slightly further, less-congested parking area. This can save valuable time in the immediate event vicinity.

Embrace the Back Roads (Carefully):

While your navigation app will guide you to the fastest route, it won't always consider the sudden surge of pedestrian traffic. This is where the agility of a Suzuki Swift or a Hyundai i10 can pay off on smaller, residential streets—just remember to significantly reduce your speed and watch for poorly lit crowds.

Plan the EXIT Strategy:

The biggest mistake is driving straight to the event without thinking about leaving. Look for parking areas that allow you to exit against the flow of inbound traffic or lead directly onto a major arterial road. This foresight is especially useful for larger vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler or MG HS that take a little longer to manoeuvre out of tight spots, but with their parking sensors and 360 camera, this becomes a breeze.

After the Bang: Post-Bonfire Care and Wrap-Up

You've made it through the traffic, witnessed the spectacle, and safely returned home. Now, a few final steps will keep your vehicle looking its best and ready for your next adventure.

• The Day-After Wash: If your car was near the firework display, it is critical to wash it the next day. Firework ash can contain chemicals that become mildly acidic when mixed with dew or rain. Never wipe the ash dry—this will scratch the paint. Instead, rinse your Suzuki Vitara or Alfa Romeo Stelvio thoroughly with a high-pressure hose first to float the particles away, then follow with a standard, soft-wash method.
  
• Interior Sweep: Before everything dries, remove all coats, muddy boots, and anything that collected water or debris. Vacuum the floor mats thoroughly to remove any fine ash or spent sparkler remnants (always ensure sparkler wires are completely cool and disposed of safely in a bucket of sand or water).
  
• Re-check Essentials: You likely used your wipers, washers, and potentially your emergency kit. Take a moment to top up your washer fluid and check your tyres again if you drove through a muddy field parking area.

A Safe Journey with Read Motor Group

From all of us at Read Motor Group, we wish you a safe and memorable Bonfire Night. Drive carefully, look out for one another, and enjoy the dazzling display. We'll see you on the road!