10 local authorities with ‘dangerous roads’

New data reveals the most dangerous local authorities for road accidents during winter conditions.

Researchers have examined the number of motor vehicle collisions due to rain, sleet, snow or fog as reported by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) between 2013 and 2022. The number of crashes was then considered per 100,000 people to determine the most hazardous winter roads in the UK.

The study revealed that Argyll and Bute has the most unsafe winter roads in the UK. In the Scottish local authority, there have been 58 collisions due to rain, sleet, snow or fog between 2013 and 2022. This is 67 crashes per 100,000 people and averages at 6 per year.

Westminster takes the silver medal. The local authority has had 111 accidents due to rain, sleet, snow or fog from 2013 to 2022, totalling at 11 per year on average. At 54 collisions per 100,000 people, these figures indicate that Westminster has the second-most hazardous winter roads. Lincolnshire is the third-worst local authority for drivers during the winter months. With 370 total crashes due to rain, sleet, snow or fog between 2013 and 2022, Lincolnshire has an average of 37 motor vehicle accidents per year. This totals at 48 incidents per 100,000 people.

In fourth place is Kent. The local authority has reported 728 collisions due to rain, sleet, snow or fog from 2013 to 2022. On average, this is 73 accidents per year, totalling at 46 crashes per 100,000 people. Cornwall ranks fifth. The local authority reported 251 collisions between 2013 and 2022; 25 average annual crashes and a total of 44 collisions per 100,000 people due to rain, sleet, snow or fog.

North Yorkshire and the County of Herefordshire rank in joint sixth, with 43 crashes per 100,000 people due to rain, sleet, snow or fog from 2013 to 2022. North Yorkshire has 27 average annual collisions; the County of Herefordshire has eight average annual collisions.

Cumbria has the seventh most hazardous winter roads due to rain, sleet, snow or fog. With 210 total crashes, the local authority reported 42 incidents per 100,000 people between 2013 and 2022, averaging at 21 motor vehicle accidents per year. East Riding of Yorkshire has the eighth-most unsafe winter roads in the U.K. The local authority has had 139 accidents due to harsh weather conditions between 2013 and 2022, totalling at 41 collisions per 100,000 people and 14 per year on average.

Kensington & Chelsea and Nottingham rank in joint ninth, with 40 crashes per 100,000 people due to rain, sleet, snow or fog from 2013 to 2022. Kensington & Chelsea has six average annual crashes, while Nottingham has 13 annual crashes. 

Gwynedd is the tenth worst local authority for road accidents during winter. The Welsh local authority has had 38 crashes due to rain, sleet, snow or fog per 100,000 people from 2013 to 2022. This is 45 total incidents and five average crashes annually. 

A spokesperson at Claims.co.uk:

“In the U.K., 17% of all road accidents occur during the winter months, putting drivers and pedestrians at risk. This study highlights the local authorities with the most hazardous winter roads due to rain, sleet, snow or fog. Argyll and Bute takes the top spot as the most unsafe area for road accidents due to challenging weather conditions; however, it is interesting to note that there are local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales mentioned, reminding people from across the nation to stay safe behind the wheel this season.”