Britain’s most dangerous roads: where they are and how to plan ahead

With the number of road deaths in Britain remaining persistently high, it’s become clear that drivers need to be aware of the risks they face when taking to the British roads.

Read on to find out where the most dangerous roads are around you, and get some top tips to help you stay safe behind the wheel. 

Why is it important to check road safety?

Unfortunately, not much progress has been made in reducing the number of serious or fatal crashes in the past few years. In fact, if Britain had kept up with international targets, 2,549 deaths could have been avoided between 2010 and 2017.^[1]

Apart from the dramatic human and social impact of fatal road crashes, it is estimated that they cost the British economy around £35 billion per year, as well.        

With all of that in mind, Ageas - parent company of Rias - has partnered up with the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) to provide British drivers with an interactive map that can be used to check how dangerous the roads around them are – and plan their journeys accordingly.

Ageas and the RSF have also produced a report calling for an immediate investment of £75 million and a yearly investment of the same amount for the following five years. It is estimated that this could help prevent as many as 1,100 fatal and serious injuries over the next 20 years. 

Do your part with these road safety tips

Although there’s a lot you can’t control on the road, there are a few steps you can take to help you stay safe during your car journeys.

Ensure you’re well rested - and sober

It’s important that you feel rested and energised before driving. You should aim to get at least seven hours of sleep the night before you set off on a long journey, as this will help you stay alert behind the wheel.

It’s always worth mentioning that you should never drive under the influence of alcohol. Not only could you face hefty fines and penalties for driving above the legal limit, it is also extremely dangerous to do so.

An estimated 9,040 people were injured or killed on British roads during 2016 as a result of incidents where at least one driver was over the alcohol limit[2] - when in doubt, don’t risk it.

Plan your journey

Before driving off, make sure you look into the roads you’ll be driving through, the weather forecast and any ongoing roadworks or other events that may impact your journey.

It’s always a good idea to make sure your navigation system is working properly, do a bit of research on the roads you’re travelling and allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely.

Avoid speeding

Speed limits are there for your safety and the safety of those around you.

Even if you’re driving under the best possible conditions, stick to the maximum speed limits allowed by law. Driving at a safe speed can make the difference between crashing and being able to stop in time when faced with an unexpected obstacle.

Stay focussed on the road

Although this may seem self-explanatory, staying focussed on the road isn’t always easy, especially if you’re alone in the car or are driving through a very familiar route.

There are a few things that may help you stay alert, such as staying hydrated, sitting up right and opening your window slightly to let some fresh air in. Turning on your radio may also help, provided the volume isn’t so loud that it distracts you from the traffic sounds around you.

If you feel like your focus on the road isn’t as it should be at any point, make a quick stop to stretch your legs and get some rest, as soon as it’s safe to do so. 

Most improved roads in Britain

The report identifies eight roads as the most improved for fatal and serious accidents between 2015-17 when compared to the period 2012-14.

Check out the interactive dangerous roads map to get to know how risky the roads around you are.

Is your insurance up to date? To make sure you’re covered for all eventualities, get a Rias car insurance quote today >


[1] https://www.ageas.co.uk/globalassets/assets/newsroom/ageas-rsf-crash-risk-map-2019-report.pdf