Oxford News
UK areas where drivers are most likely to get into a crash
Data from the Department for Transport has revealed that one in every five road accidents take place in London.
The figures, which have been analysed by Go.Compare car insurance, show that there were a whopping 21,000 road accidents in the capital in 2024.
That means that 19.87% of all road collisions in the country take place in the capital.
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Outside of London, South-east England ranked as the area where drivers are most likely to get into a crash, with 15,412 accidents recorded in 2024.
In third spot was the East of England with 9,774 accidents, followed by North-west England with 9,695 accidents, and Yorkshire and the Humber in fifth place with 9,410 crashes in 2024.
Meanwhile Wales, which introduced sweeping 20mph speed limits across the country in late 2023, recorded 2,913 road collisions in 2024 – a decrease of just over 10% since the lowered speed restrictions were introduced.
Check the full list below to see if you live in one of the UK’s top 12 areas where drivers are most likely to get into a crash.
- London – 21,000 accidents
- South-east England – 15,412 accidents
- East of England – 9,774 accidents
- North-west England – 9,695 accidents
- Yorkshire and the Humber – 9,410 accidents
- South-west England – 9,006 accidents
- West Midlands – 8,749 accidents
- East Midlands – 7,896 accidents
- Northern Ireland – 4,735 accidents
- Scotland – 4,167 accidents
- Wales – 2,913 accidents
- North-east England – 2,905 accidents
As well as revealing the UK’s car collision hotspots, the study uncovered the reasons these accidents take place, with driver error being the most common.
‘Ineffective observation’ was identified as the main reason behind nearly 11,000 of the collisions which took place in 2024 – meaning the driver, bike rider or pedestrian involved failed to look properly.
Other common reasons road accidents took place included drivers or riders overshooting a junction, poor turns and manoeuvres, people travelling too fast for the road conditions, and aggressive or reckless driving.
Tom Banks, Go.Compare car insurance spokesperson, said of the findings: “Sadly, there are a staggering number of road collisions which take place each year – though it certainly is positive that the latest figures show a significant decrease from the previous year.
“As advancements in the auto industry improve the safety of cars and we see new driving aids and safety systems introduced, we hope car collisions can continue to decrease.
“However, as driver error is the top cause for collisions, it’s clear we all need to be more careful on the roads.
“Looking in your mirrors may seem like a minor thing but a few short seconds spent checking your surroundings could save you from disaster.
“Additionally, it’s important to adapt your driving style to the specific road conditions – so if it’s wet or icy, for instance, make sure to lower your speed and leave lots of extra distance.
“If you do suffer a crash and it’s your fault, for instance because you were speeding, there could be serious consequences.
“You’ll likely receive points on your licence, and your car insurance premiums will go up as a result – perhaps significantly.
“Additionally, depending on the cause of the accident, your insurer could refuse to pay out.
“Diving under the influence of alcohol or using a mobile phone could all void your insurance – so stay safe, and drive sensibly.”