Contents Introduction
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Road traffic accidents in numbers
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The UK’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Drives
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Top tips for becoming a safer driver
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Stay safe on the roads this winter
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Introduction In this eBook, we list which UK routes are thought to be the most high-risk based on the number of casualties that occur there. We also take a look at some shocking road statistics, and give you some useful tips on how you can become a safer driver too. We have even included some helpful tips for improving your driving skills during the winter months.
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Road traffic accidents in numbers It can be difficult to get a grasp of just how many people are injured or worse yet killed, as a result of a road traffic accident. Keep reading to see what these numbers look like.
An increase in road injuries and deaths According to a statistical release published by the Department of Transport in November 2019, there were 1,870 road deaths in the 12 months beginning 1st July 2018 and ending 30th June 2019 - a 4% increase when compared to the previous year. Further to this, there were 25,950 people seriously injured as a result of a road traffic accident. In the year ending June 2019, there were 157,630 casualties of all severities, with 91,090 of these people travelling by car, either as a driver or a passenger. The report also states that between January and June 2019, 880 people were killed in reported road accidents - an increase of 11% when compared to the same time period of the previous year.
Country roads vs motorways: which is to blame for more road deaths? Did you know that the majority of deaths actually occur on country roads? According to the RAC Foundation, country roads are responsible for 60% of all fatalities, and on average, three people die every day while driving on these types of routes.
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COVID-19: how the coronavirus pandemic has been affecting road traffic Back in March, the UK was plunged into a lockdown in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, with the government placing a nationwide ban on unnecessary travel. It’s no surprise that this dramatic change would impact our roads - but what do the numbers say? In a recent statistical release published by the Department of Transport detailing provisional road traffic estimates for the period running from July 2019 to June 2020, analysis showed that, due to the imposed restrictions on travel, there has been a significant decrease in road traffic levels. According to provisional data, car and taxi traffic has decreased by 15.2%. The report’s analysis suggests that without the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel, car traffic would have increased by 0.7%. The report also shows that van and lorry traffic decreased by 7.3% and 7.8% respectively. While the official figures for 2020 have not yet been released, the number of road traffic accidents is expected to see a decrease, with a potential further fall on the number of casualties too.
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The UK’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Drives The UK offers its fair share of beautifully scenic routes across rolling countryside, as well as inner city drives which allow you to see the sights from the comfort of your car. There are also a number of routes that are renowned for attracting a high number of accidents. According to data published by the Department of Transport, here are the UK’s top 10 most dangerous drives, ranked according to the annual casualties that have occured on the same road in 2018. Road Name & Location
Postcode
No. of Casualties
B576, Northamptonshire
NN14 2SA
59
Clydeside Expressway, Glasgow
G14 9RY
29
A5, Central Bedfordshire
LU7 9PY
23
Thorney Road, Cambridgeshire
PE13 4AD
20
Andover Road, Hampshire
RG23 7EP
17
Paddington Village, Liverpool
L3 5TR
13
Aytoun Street, Manchester
M1 3FR
13
M25, Kent
BR8 8TE
13
Old Kent Road, Southwark, London
SE1 5PA
12
Barking Road, Newham, London
E6 2LN
12
Source - Annual Road Safety Data (Accidents) 2018 published by the Department of Transport 6
Top tips for becoming a safer driver To ensure you’re driving as safely as possible, keep these tips in mind.
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Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front Highways England reports that over 100 people are killed in the UK each year as a result of motorists driving too close to the vehicle in front, so it’s important that you’re aware of how much room you should allow in order to drive safely. Ideally, you should allow at least a two second gap. Let the car in front of you pass a fixed object, such as a lamp post, and count how many seconds it takes for you to pass the same point. If it’s less than two seconds, you may need to back off.
Look out for cyclists Always check your mirrors and blind spots to look out for cyclists, and take care when approaching roundabouts, using junctions and changing lanes. You should always give a cyclist plenty of space when you’re overtaking. The Highway Code states that you should leave as much space as if you were overtaking a car. Also, use your indicators to show your intentions. Signalling either left or right in plenty of time means cyclists can react accordingly, reducing the risk of a collision.
Don’t use your mobile phone at the wheel If your mobile phone pings while you’re driving, it can be tempting to take a quick peek. However, it’s important to remember that using your phone at the wheel is actually illegal. Did you know you’re twice as likely to have an accident if you’re texting while you’re driving than if you were drink driving? According to the Transport Research Laboratory, your reaction time is 2.8 times greater when compared to someone who is at the drink-drive limit in England and Wales, so you may want to think twice before you reach for your phone.
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Stay safe on the roads this winter To stay in control while you’re behind the wheel this winter, here are three important tips... Check your car is in good working condition It’s especially important to ensure your car is in good working order during the winter, and there are a number of quick and easy checks you can carry out. For example, make sure that the battery and headlights are working correctly, and check that your screen wash and antifreeze levels are topped up.You should also replace your wipers if they look tatty.
Plan your journey It’s a good idea to plan your route and avoid using roads that may be affected by the weather, such as winding country lanes. Instead stick to roads that you know will have definitely been gritted, like motorways.
Make sure you drive extra carefully Being cautious while you’re out and about can help you stay in full control, especially if the weather has taken a turn for the worse. For example, if it’s snowing or sleeting, avoid braking suddenly. Instead, slow down in advance and apply your foot gradually to the pedal so you can come to a safe, complete stop.
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Thank you for taking the time to read our eBook. We hope it’s given you some extra food for thought when it comes to the importance of staying safe on the roads.
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