Why the British are often involved in road accidents

The British are generally cautious drivers, but road accidents remain a serious problem in the UK, despite significant advances in road safety. Let’s take a look at the main factors and causes that influence the frequency of accidents on British roads.

Road conditions
The UK has one of the densest road networks in Europe, which leads to an increase in the number of cars on the road and therefore an increased risk of accidents.

British roads, especially in rural areas, are often narrow and curvy. Drivers may not expect sharp bends or oncoming traffic, leading to collisions. According to the Department of Transport, in 2022, 59% of fatal road accidents occurred on rural roads.

Road safety is also affected by the age of the road infrastructure, the quality of the road surface and the presence of potholes.

British drivers often face deteriorating weather conditions. These conditions lead to reduced visibility and poorer grip. Morning fog and slippery roads in winter are particularly dangerous.

Technical malfunctions of the vehicle
Faulty brakes, tyres or lighting can lead to unforeseen situations on the road. Problems with rear-view mirrors can also have a significant impact on driving safety and cause accidents. In the UK, around 27% of all road traffic accidents are caused by rear-end collisions. As side mirrors are quite vulnerable elements of a car, it’s worth making an effort to keep them safe. Here are some tips:

• You can install a special protective film on the mirrors to reduce the risk of damage from minor bumps. Also, use wing mirror cover to protect them.
• Before each trip, check that the mirrors are securely fastened and free of dirt.
• Use soft cloths and special car care products to clean the mirrors.
• When washing the car on an automatic car wash, make sure that the brushes do not damage the mirrors.
• Try to park at a sufficient distance from other cars to avoid accidental collisions.
• On narrow streets, drive slowly and carefully, avoid rubbing the mirrors against other vehicles or obstacles.

Narrow streets and limited space
Many British cities, especially historic centres, have narrow streets. This creates additional difficulties for manoeuvring, especially for large vehicles. 62% of van drivers have had their wing mirrors damaged as we drove down a narrow street.

In popular areas and city centres, there is often an acute shortage of parking spaces. This can encourage drivers to park in illegal spaces or close to other vehicles, which can create a risk of collision.

Speeding and drinking alcohol
Speeding is one of the main causes of road accidents. Many drivers ignore the posted limits, especially on motorways and rural roads. According to the UK Department for Transport, speeding was the cause of 19.7% of collisions in 2022. Driving fast reduces the driver’s ability to react quickly to unforeseen circumstances, which often leads to fatal consequences.

Drinking alcohol affects drivers’ reactions and reduces their ability to drive safely. Even a slight exceedance of the permitted limit of drunk driving increases the risk of getting into an accident by 46%.

Lack of concentration on the road
Lack of concentration on the road is another reason that often leads to accidents. Using mobile phones while driving, fatigue and distractions from other passengers all lead to a loss of concentration and increase the likelihood of an accident.

Around 10% of all serious accidents are caused by a driver falling asleep at the wheel or having a slow reaction due to fatigue. And using mobile phones while driving increases the risk of an accident by 30%.

Road safety depends on every road user. British roads need constant improvement, and drivers need to be extra careful and cautious to avoid hazards and reduce the number of accidents.