New study found that 3-5pm on a Friday afternoon in November is the peak time for road traffic accidents (RTAs) on GB A-roads
- Analysis of the latest Department for Transport accident data revealed that the majority of accidents take place at low speeds (21-30 mph), on single-carriageway A roads during fine weather
- Across Great Britain there were 11% more road traffic accidents in the last year than in 2020
- Nearly a quarter (23%) of all road traffic accidents in Great Britain during 2021 occurred in London
- For more information, please visit: https://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/media/road-traffic-accidents/friday-afternoon-is-peak-time-for-rtas/
Drivers on the road this Friday afternoon should take extra care, as new data reveals that between 3pm-5pm, on Fridays, in November is the peak time for road traffic accidents.
Ahead of Road Safety Week 2022 (14th-20th November), national law firm Simpson Millar analysed the latest accident data from the Department for Transport to find when the majority of accidents take place across Great Britain.
The data revealed that in 2021, the majority (55%) of reported road traffic accidents took place at low speeds of just 21-30mph.
They were also more likely to occur on single-carriageway roads, as 72% of reported accidents happened on these types of roads, with almost half (45%) also taking place on A roads.
Despite having a higher speed limit, motorways saw the fewest number of reported accidents (3%).
The data also revealed that accidents were most likely to happen on days when the weather was ‘fine’ (82%), with just 11% of accidents taking place on rainy days and less than 2% happening in fog/mist or snowy conditions.
Perhaps unsurprisingly due to the easing of Covid-19 travel rules, road traffic accidents were found to be on the rise again across Great Britain, as there were 11% more accidents last year than in 2020.
In 2021, nearly a quarter (23%) of all road traffic accidents in Great Britain occurred in London, more than five times the amount that was reported in the whole of Scotland or Wales.
The North East had the lowest number of reported accidents, with just 3,024 taking place in 2021, accounting for 3% of the total across Britain.
Percentage of England accident total by region (2021)
- London (23%)
- South East (17%)
- North West (11%)
- Yorkshire and the Humber (10%)
- East of England (10%)
- South West (9%)
- West Midlands (8.5%)
- East Midlands (7.8%)
- North East (3.2%)
Simpson Millar also used Crash Map to identify accident hotspots on A roads in different UK cities.
A high numbers of accidents was discovered on the A38 in Cornwall, with 99 accidents (including seven serious and four fatal) reported in the last five years between Nottor and Trerulefoot.
Another hotspot was on the A52 Derby Road in Nottingham, with 89 accidents (including four serious and one fatal) reported between the roundabout with Middleton Blvd and Clifton Blvd and Priory Roundabout in the last five years.
The A4044 in Bristol was also found to be a hotspot, with 85 accidents (including three serious) occurring between The Bearpit and the traffic lights with the A4032 over the same time period.
When comparing data from each country in Great Britain, the study found that Scotland has seen the biggest drop in road traffic accidents over the last 20 years, with accidents in 2021 down 73% compared to 2001 numbers.
Wales has also seen a decrease, with 65% less accidents happening in 2021 versus 2001. When looking at all English regions, accident numbers have decreased across the country since 2001, with the North West and North East seeing the biggest decreases of 66% and 63%, respectively.
Susan Vanden, Road Traffic Accident Technical Manager at Simpson Millar commented: “As we reach the peak time for road traffic accidents it’s important to remember to take care on your trips. The aftermath of any accident can be traumatic and so it’s key to surround yourself with a team who can support you and make things easier.
If you find yourself involved in an accident you can seek legal advice on your road traffic accident claim, regardless of whether you are the driver or a passenger. You can also put in a claim for compensation if you’re a cyclist or pedestrian that has been injured by another road user. This compensation can allow you to get the care, support and treatment you may need after an accident and help you get your life back on track.”
Further information about this study can be found at: https://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/media/road-traffic-accidents/friday-afternoon-is-peak-time-for-rtas/
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