Rural roads are the most dangerous in Britain

15/03/2016 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

Half of fatal accidents occur on rural roads, according to research carried out by Heritage Classic Car Insurance.

The company looked into the most recent data about road safety and fatal crashes.

Statistics found on www.gov.uk show that car drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists are all at an increased risk of a fatal road accident on country roads.

Whilst motorways carry around 21% of UK road traffic, they are responsible for only 5% of fatalities. Built-up roads account for 44% for fatalities [1], leaving rural roads as the most dangerous, with over half of the country’s road deaths.

Per mile, car drivers and occupants are nearly twice as likely to be killed on rural roads as on urban roads. Motorcyclists are nearly three times more likely to be killed on rural roads compared to urban roads, whilst cyclists are more than twice as likely to be killed on a country road as an urban road.

Analysis of 2014 data has shown that for accidents where a police officer attended the scene and reported the contributory factor, the most commonly reported category in all accidents across all road types was ‘driver/rider error or reaction’ [2].

Of those, the most frequently reported contributory factor for all road types is ‘failure to look properly’. This is broken down to 49% of accidents on urban roads, 34% of accidents on rural roads and 33% of accidents on motorways in 2014. Another contributory factor is ‘loss of control’.

Whilst failure to look properly accounts for 30% of fatal accidents on urban roads, 21% on rural and 21% on motorways, loss of control comes to 30% urban, 38% rural and 30% motorways.

The main reason motorists lose control of their vehicle whilst driving on rural roads is due to there being more hazards, including more narrow roads, blind bends, dips and other distractions.

Weather also has a huge impact on road casualties. Bad weather is actually recorded as reducing the number of casualties [3]. Although road surfaces become more slippery and visibility can be affected, our natural reaction to this is to slow down and take more care in driving. This reduces the risk of collision and in turn has shown fewer fatal injuries occur.

Speaking about the data, Mark Wilkinson, managing partner at Heritage Classic Car Insurance, said: “Many of our specialist insurance policy holders are classic car enthusiasts who love nothing more than to take their cars out on rural roads during the summer months. We felt it was important to get this information out to raise awareness, both for our customers and UK motorists in general, and encourage more people to drive safe. Motorways can be very dangerous, as can urban roads, but it is the rural road that takes most lives. So to everyone, enjoy the beautiful English countryside, but please continue to drive carefully.”

 

References:


  1. Figures taken from Reported accidents by speed limit, road class and severity, Great Britain, table RAS10001- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/ras10-reported-road-accidents#table-ras10001


  2. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/463043/rrcgb2014-02.pdf


  3. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/463045/rrcgb2014-01.pdf

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW