Drivers took to Twitter to express their concerns as "selfish" motorists and the hot weather made travel disruption on the M25 at the weekend feel even less fun than usual.
Traffic was halted due to a collision on the M25 anticlockwise on Sunday (June 18), between junctions 14 and 15 near Heathrow Airport .
Highways England estimated around four miles of queuing traffic, back to junction 16 for the M40, as a result of the incident.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said six cars were involved in a “bumper to bumper” crash, and everyone was "going to be okay".
All traffic was held for more than an hour from 2.20pm to 3.35pm while the air ambulance attended.
The incident took place while the exit slip road at junction 12 , for the M3, was closed for the entire weekend.
Heatwave news
Drivers watched on in disbelief as further problems unfolded around the incident due to other motorists on the road.
Some caused delays to the emergency services as they tried to drive up the hard shoulder, while some left their cars to have picnics on the central reservation.
Then there were those due to catch a flight who totally abandoned their cars on the motorway, walking the rest of the way to the airport.
The hot weather also added to the disruption with many drivers unprepared for the worst case traffic scenario.
So that you're prepared should you encounter a similar situation in the future, check out these seven top tips, as recommended by the RAC and other organisations .
1. Make sure you've got a full tank of petrol
The RAC recommends heading out with a full tank of petrol so there is no risk of running out as you crawl along, while the AA advises checking the car's coolant levels and cooling system as well as tyre pressures.
2. Don't let yourself get too annoyed
Instead of getting too annoyed, Jacqueline Barnes, professor of psychological sciences at the University of London, suggests focusing on the fact the ordeal is temporary and that many others are in the same situation.
3. Switch your engine off
The RAC recommends you switch off your car engine as soon as it becomes clear the traffic will be stationary for some time, in order to conserve fuel and keep pollution to a minimum.
If you need to start the car for short periods in order to run the air conditioning, charge your electronic devices at the same time, as charging them without the engine running will drain the car battery.
In extreme traffic queues, the RAC advises motorists and passengers to get out of their cars to stretch their legs from time to time, while keeping an eye out for moving vehicles.
4. Prepare to urinate outside
If you need the toilet while you're stuck in a queue, you may have to use a plastic bottle or hide your dignity with some baggy clothes while exploring the verge beyond the hard shoulder.
It may be useful to have toilet paper or tissues in the glove compartment, and wet wipes or hand sanitiser for cleaning hands.
5. Keep the children happy
"Are we nearly there yet?" - a telltale phrase that indicates the kids are getting bored.
But what can parents do when the boredom hits?
Don't worry - we've got you covered with a few fun games and tips for keeping the kids entertained.
6. Stock up on snacks and water
Nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed suggests avoiding monster bags of cookies or crisps.
A family of two adults and two children stuck in traffic for 14 hours needs about eight litres (14 pints) of water or other drinks.
Charlotte recommends packing foods such as crackers, breadsticks, nuts ans fruit like apples and bananas.
7. Stay informed
Local radio stations give regular travel information along with Highways England's live traffic map.
You can also follow local council traffic accounts on Twitter. This information may also help you find an alternative route.
Of course, if you're stuck on Surrey's roads then Get Surrey will endeavour to bring you the latest updates too!
Keep up to date with the latest news from around the county via the free Get Surrey app.
You can set up your app to see all the latest news and events from your area, plus receive push notifications for breaking news.
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