Stay calm, get creative: Melbourne traffic to boom by nearly 20% in Christmas rush

Drivers are being asked to stay calm and get creative with their routes with Melbourne traffic set to explode with Christmas shoppers.

Traffic increased by 15 per cent in the days prior to Christmas last year, according to VicRoads.

And there was 19 per cent more cars on the roads around shopping hot spots during last year’s 24-hour shopping period.

For their part, VicRoads is promising to manipulate traffic light patterns around busy venues like Chadstone to ease the strain.

From us, they’re asking Melburnians to avoid normal hot spots where possible.

For example, VicRoads spokesperson Chris Miller told 3AW Breakfast that Chadstone shoppers would be wise to try exits other than Warrigal Road from the Monash Freeway.

And stay calm.

“Everyone’s rushing to finish things off,” Miller said.

“Harness that festive spirit — let people in, give them a wave.”

Click PLAY to hear Chris Miller chat with Kate and Quarters