Britain’s road network spans thousands of miles, connecting cities, towns, and rural areas. And while UK roads are among the safest in the world, every year, 30,000 people are killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents.
Certain roads are hotspots for accidents due to poor road layout, high traffic volumes or challenging conditions. But, luckily for us, the Road Safety Foundation and iRAP analyse British motorways and A roads every year, so we know which roads to be wary of when travelling around the UK.
Although motorways and A roads only represent 14% of our roads, they account for a shocking 60% of fatal road crashes.
Here are the worst offenders:
A199 – East Lothian, Scotland
The seven miles between Dolphingstone Farm on the A1 and the A1/B6471 west of Haddington in East Lothian is an accident blackspot. There were 17 fatal or serious crashes between 2017 and 2019. What’s even more alarming is that almost three quarters (72%) of these crashes involved pedestrians or cyclists, making it one of the most lethal roads for vulnerable road users.
A1028 – Lincolnshire, England
Although it’s only 9 km long, there were 31 crashes between 2017-2019, which was enough for it to be blacklisted by Ageas as a hotspot for serious and fatal crashes. Most accidents occur at junctions, too, so beware of the dangers when you’re entering or exiting the road.
Hardknott Pass – Cumbria, England
Many consider this single-track, packed with hairpin bends, one of Britain’s most dangerous roads. There have even been calls for tourists to avoid it altogether, and with good reason. Hardknott Pass is notorious for its steep gradients and unpredictable weather conditions, meaning that drivers often struggle. Nearby Kirkstone Pass, also in the Lake District, has a similar reputation for being as hazardous as it is beautiful.
A285 – West Sussex, England
According to road safety charity, Brake, More than half of fatal crashes in the UK take place on rural roads. The A285 between Chichester and Petworth is no exception. It’s well known for its high accident rate, particularly on rural stretches. And with so many bends and fast-moving traffic, it has consistently ranked among the most dangerous roads in the UK.
A537 (Cat and Fiddle Road) – between Macclesfield and Buxton, Cheshire
The Cat and Fiddle Road has been rated Black – the highest risk rating by the EuroRAP report. It’s famous not only for its breathtaking route, winding through the Peak District, but also for having one of the highest accident rates in the country. Motorcyclists are particularly at risk, due to the sharp – often blind – bends and sheer drops.
A57 Snake Pass – Derbyshire, England
Another infamous road in the Peak District is Snake Pass. Crossing the Pennines between Manchester and Sheffield, it’s known for its dramatic bends and sudden changes in elevation. Unfortunately, it’s also known for its many accidents. It’s often closed in winter due to treacherous weather conditions, but even on a sunny day, the famous, snaky roads cause so many serious accidents it’s been considered whether to close it to cars altogether.
A1 – Various Locations, England and Scotland
One of Britain’s longest and busiest roads, the A1 stretches all the way from London to Edinburgh. Every day, around 40,000 vehicles travel on the A1 at various points, so it’s no wonder there are so many serious accidents, particularly around junctions and slip roads. In 2022, there were 500 accidents, most of which resulted in road closing the road for hours on end. Many locals report feeling ‘actively unsafe’ driving on the A1, with over 50% having seen or been in an accident themselves.
M6 – Multiple Locations, England
As one of the busiest motorways in the UK, the M6 is notorious for accidents. It’s now a ‘smart motorway’ too, meaning the hard shoulder has been removed to ease congestion. However, drivers feel less safe without the hard shoulder, and the rate of accidents has increased. Certain stretches, such as those near Birmingham and Manchester, experience high collision rates due to heavy traffic and driver fatigue.
How safe are the roads where you live?
If you want to find out where the accident black spots are in your local area, or plan ahead and avoid dangerous roads on a long journey, there are several ways you can check.
Crash Maps provide a free service showing collisions that have been reported over the last few years. Just pop your postcode in and get searching.
Or, check out the government’s Think Map for the latest incident data from the Department for Transport.
If you’re travelling, set up traffic alerts from the National Highways to get real time information and avoid congestion.
Stay alert
Don’t forget, Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world. But with so many drivers taking to the roads every day, accidents will happen. By staying in-the-know about high-risk areas, planning your route in advance and travelling at quieter times, you can lower the risk for you and your passengers.
