Agreed but having driven in France several dozen times without any trouble over the years, often during school holidays, with no issues, you must've been very unlucky.
Because we've only had one week of decent weather in the last four months, for one.
There are some great places to holiday in the UK but the weather is far from guaranteed.
Curious. Driving in France is one of life's great pleasures. You're far more likely to get stuck in a jam in this country.
They do have a few "rush" days but other than that the roads are deserted.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/columnists/2205214/Savvy-Traveller-Holiday-dates-to-avoid.html