Having an accident can be a distressing experience, regardless of whether you have a car on finance or own it outright. Accidents can happen on any road, be it a motorway or a rural lane. But where are most accidents occurring?
According to our 2019 research, Kent, Surrey, and Birmingham experienced the highest number of accidents. But are these findings still accurate in 2023?
An analysis of the Department for Transport’s accident data by Moneybarn reveals the areas in the UK with the most road accidents. It also explores whether accidents are more likely to occur in urban or rural areas, and investigates the road characteristics that contribute to higher or lower accident rates.
Moneybarn also uncovers the most common speeds and junction types involved in accidents.
The top 3 areas with the most accidents
1. Kent (excluding Medway towns): 3,457 accidents
Kent, excluding the Medway towns, had the highest number of accidents in 2023, totaling 3,457.
Surrey came second, with 2,783 accidents, followed by Birmingham with 2,383 accidents.
The areas where accidents have decreased over time
Stoke on Trent, Inverclyde, and the Western Isles of Scotland reported a significant decrease in accidents since 2019.
The areas where accidents have increased over time
Calderdale, Reading, and Bradford experienced the highest increase in accidents since 2019.
What types of roads do accidents take place on?
In 2019, urban roads were more likely to be the cause of accidents, and this trend has continued into 2023.
Accidents on roads categorized as A roads have decreased, while those on unclassified roads have increased.
Most accidents occur on single-carriageway roads, followed by dual carriageways and roundabouts.
The speeds at which most accidents happen
Contrary to expectations, most accidents occur within the 21-30 mph speed range. Speed limits up to 70 mph have the fewest crashes.
Since 2019, accidents on roads with speed limits of up to 20 mph have increased significantly.
The junction types with the most accidents
Almost half of accidents occur within 20 meters of junctions. T or staggered junctions are the most dangerous, followed by standard crossroad junctions and roundabouts.
Accidents at junctions with more than four arms and on mini-roundabouts have increased since 2019.
Methodology
The data used in the study is accurate as of September 2023. You can view the data from our 2021 study here.
All figures are from the Department for Transport’s road traffic statistics road safety data download tool and refer to road accidents reported to the police in 2023 where at least one person is injured (there can be several casualties in one accident).