Nothing beats cruising along down an open road in the sunshine with your favourite song blasting, but not all journeys are quite so idyllic.
Between roadworks, congestion, and accidents, the UK’s roads are not all plain sailing, so we’ve taken a closer look at some of the UKs most treacherous roads, plus put together some tips on how you can stay as safe as possible on notoriously tricky journeys.
The most dangerous roads in the UK
Recent research conduction by Forbes Advisor revealed the top 10 most dangerous roads across the UK, 4 of which are in Wales. According to the report, the most dangerous road in England is in Blackpool, which also came in at number 3 in the whole of the United Kingdom. Westminster was number 4, and the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth were also on the list.
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 most dangerous roads according to Forbes Advisor
1. Powys, Mid Wales
2. Ceredigion, West Wales
3. Blackpool, North West England
4. Westminster, London
5. Monmouthshire, South Wales
6. Lincolnshire, East Midlands
7. Pembrokeshire, West Wales
8. Portsmouth, South East England
9. Isle of Wight, South East England
10. Dorset, South West England
What makes some roads more dangerous than others?
There’s a myriad of factors that can make some roads more dangerous than others, and conversely, some roads far safer to travel. High volume of traffic, variable speed limits, poorly maintained roads, poor road design and layout, and driver behaviour can all affect how safe or dangerous a road can be and it’s important for drivers to always be alert, especially on roads with a higher accident rate.
How many accidents are there each year in the UK?
According to road safety charity Brake, someone is killed or injured on the road every 16 minutes on the UK. The most recent data on their website reveals that in 2021, 1,608 people were killed and 26,701 were seriously injured.
Brake also state that “every death and serious injury on the road is a preventable tragedy and yet, on average, five people die every day on the road in the UK and 84 are seriously injured.”
Here are some tips to help you avoid accidents on dangerous roads in the UK:
- Stay focused and alert – Avoid distractions and always stay focused on the road. Don’t be tempted to answer a call of glance at a message.
- Stick to speed limits – This is always important but even more so in areas with known hazards or heavy traffic.
- Keep a safe following distance – Allow enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you in case you need to stop suddenly.
- Check your brakes – Ensure that your brakes are in good working condition, especially before a long journey.
- Avoid sudden lane changes – Sudden lane changes can cause accidents, especially in heavy traffic. If you want to change lane, make sure you do it safely and always check your blind spot.
- Watch out for wildlife – Wildlife can be a hazard on rural roads as well as A roads (and occasionally motorways) so be vigilant and ready to react.
- Use your headlights – Make sure your lights are on when driving in fog, cloud, or basically anything other than broad sunlight.
- Be prepared for sharp bends – Many rural roads in the UK have sharp bends, so slow down and be prepared for sudden changes in road direction. Be aware of road signs warning.
- Don’t drink and drive – It can impair your judgement and reaction time, making accidents more likely.
As Brake say – all collisions are preventable and staying alert and on the ball are crucial to a safe journey. Make sure to take extra care if you’re travelling on any of the roads listed above and take note of our top tips for staying safe out there!
