Revealed: Britain’s most dangerous roads for accidents and injuries
Whilst there have been huge improvements in the safety of cars, vans and other vehicles over the past 30 years, 71 people are still killed or badly injured every single day on the British road network. Aside from the human impact, statistics from the Department for Transport from 2016 estimate that road traffic accidents, incidents and crashes cost the British economy £36 billion each year.
In addition to the big increase in potholes on our roads, mainly as a result of spending cuts at local and national government level, some roads are safer than others and safety statistics covering the British road network are compiled by the Road Safety Foundation. Overall, you are less likely to be involved in a road traffic accident on a motorway, despite the fact that average speeds are higher, with 90% of motorways being classed as ‘low risk’. In comparison, 23% of dual carriageways and only 1% of single lane roads are in the same low risk classification.
Which roads are the most dangerous?
The 3 roads where you are likely to be involved in a serious car crash involving death or injury are:
A254 - Margate to Ramsgate. Fatal and serious road crashes increased from 8 between 2010 and 2012 to 15 between 2013 and 2015, despite the road only being 4 miles long.
A537 - Macclesfield to Buxton. An infamous 7 mile stretch of rural road in the Peak District, also known as the Cat and Fiddle. Over 65% of fatal and serious crashes on the road involved a motorcyclist.
A259 - Glyne Gap to Ore. A 6 mile section on which fatal and serious crashes increased from 21 between 2010 and 2012 to 31 between 2013 and 2015.
Worst roads by region?
• London. A4, Langley to Concord Roundabouts
• South East. A254, Margate to Ramsgate
• South West. A353 from the A354 junction to the A352 junction
• North West. A537, Macclesfield to Buxton
• Wales. A5026, Lloc to Whelston
• East Midlands. A57, Hadfield to Crosspool
• East of England. A1245 from the A132 junction to the A130 junction
• North East. A193, Howdon Interchange to Beach Road
• West Midlands. A428, Coventry Eastern Bypass to the A5 junction
• Scotland. A941, Elgin to Craigellachie
In commenting on the statistics, Chairman of the Road Safety Foundation Lord Whitty of Camberwell, said:
"Overall, only 1% of road sections have shown significant improvement. More than 550 road sections, nearly one in five of the total, still have unacceptably high risks. The cost of fatal and serious crashes on these roads alone in the survey period was £1.73bn"
If you've been the victim of a road accident that wasn't your fault and have suffered an injury, it's important that you choose an experienced company to deal with your claim for you. Call us today to see if we can help 0800 160 1296 We offer a No Win No Fee* service, this means that should your claim fail you will not have to pay a penny.
