Drivers warned to stay alert as 'most dangerous roads in Britain' revealed

Motorists are being warned to be alert if heading for a road trip as you will be traversing the most crash prone part of the country. With 20,473 recorded accidents from 2019 to 2023, Kent is revealed as having the most dangerous roads in Britain, according to brand-new research.

Ahead of Road Safety Week this November, number plate retailer Number1Plates has ranked the top five worst areas for traffic collisions based on the reported road accidents across Britain in the last five years. In 2023, Great Britain saw an estimated 133,443 road collisions, showing a decline of just 4% since 2022.

Along with this statistic, Number1Plates cited the South East of England as the worst region for road accidents, with both Surrey (16,414 accidents) and Essex (13,964 accidents) making the top five. This means that if you’re heading on your continental grand tour, the M20, M2, and large sections of the M25 are squarely in the danger zone.

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According to police reports on GOV.UK , the main cause, with 218,489 accidents reported over the last five years in Great Britain, is ‘driver or rider error or reaction’. They said it indicated that errors in judgement and slow reaction times were significant risks for drivers.

Paul Colquhoun, spokesperson at Number1Plates, said “It's imperative that we're alert and safe when driving, for the sake of others and ourselves. Some ways to stay safe and prevent avoidable road accidents include reviewing your journey ahead of time, staying focused and avoiding distractions while behind the wheel, and always double-checking your surroundings.”

Closer to home, Birmingham was rated as the fourth worst in the country for accidents. It was the only part of the Midlands to make the list.

There were 13,758 road accidents in Birmingham over the last five years, which the survey collators say is heavily influenced by its extensive road network and heavy traffic.

The major urban city faces increased risk when it comes to collisions due to congestion and high pedestrian activity close to busy roads, including the commuting routes of A38, Hagley Road and Leebank Middleway . Another major road, A38 Bristol Road, is officially the worst road in Birmingham for speeding, where 1,655 offences were recorded in the last 12 months.

Road Safety Week will take place from 17th to 23rd November this year and will focus on raising awareness of the impact of road crashes whilst supporting the call for fair care and sustainable funding for road victims and their families. It also celebrates the work of those who support road victims.