Over 4,300 miles of motorways and major A-roads connect people, build communities, create opportunities, and help the nation thrive. Which motorway is the safest to drive in the UK, and which might be worth avoiding?
Marion Hanson
Marketing Assistant
Whilst it is interesting to understand which roads are statistically the safest, the UK is generally considered a very safe place to drive.
Logistics UK suggests that Norway is statistically the safest country to drive in Europe, with only 21.38 deaths per million inhabitants, the lowest of any European country. Sweden comes second and the United Kingdom third.
Unfortunately, according to CHAS, 1,624 people died in car accidents in the UK in 2023, a 5% decrease from 2022.
Other 2023 UK road casualty statistics show that 28,087 people were seriously injured, 103,266 were slightly wounded, and 132,977 were injured.
But what are the major causes of road accidents in the UK? Read our article to find out.
The M6 is the longest motorway in the UK, stretching 231 miles (370 km) from Catthorpe to Gretna Green. It's also one of the oldest and most important motorways in the country.
Despite their high speeds and high traffic volume, motorways are considered the safest roads in the UK, according to RoSPA, with only 5% of fatalities in total.
New drivers are often anxious about driving on motorways simply because they are not taught how to do so during lessons.
In fact, a large number of drivers plan their routes so that they avoid motorways, even if the drive will be longer. Read their article about how to beat your fear of motorways and feel free on the M3.
However, drivers in the East Midlands area might be pleased to know that the M42 is considered the safest UK motorway.
This stretch of road runs from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire to Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, circling the underside of Birmingham.
The M42 is a relatively simple road, around 40 miles long. This is quite short compared to the M6, which is the longest motorway in the UK, stretching over 230 miles from the Midlands to the border of Scotland.
Interestingly, some sources cite the M621 as an equally safe motorway stretch. However, another source argues that it is a hotspot for accidents. The worst stretch of this road is between J2 and J2a in Leeds.
At the other end of the scale, certain motorway stretches account for a large number of accidents and fatalities.
Between 2007 and 2016, the M25 saw 7,673 accidents reported, with 80 deaths occurring as a result.
In 2020, the M1 had 7,617 reported accidents, 13,121 vehicles involved, and it being the deadliest of both motorways with 154 deaths
The M6 saw 160 deaths during that period, which arguably makes it the most dangerous motorway in the UK. However, since it is the longest, there may just be more room for error along the 230-mile road.
A smart motorway is a section of a motorway that uses traffic management methods to increase capacity and reduce congestion in particularly busy areas.
These methods include using the hard shoulder as a running lane and using variable speed limits to control the flow of traffic.
National Highways developed smart motorways to manage traffic in a way that minimises environmental impact, cost, and construction time by avoiding the need to build additional lanes.
First introduced in 2006, a smart motorway aims to reduce congestion. It applies speed limits when there is a high traffic volume or using the hard shoulder as another lane.
Certain motorways have scrapped their hard shoulders in place of a permanent extra lane.
Statistically, a smart motorway is safer than a normal one, perhaps because of its increased capacity.
However, accidents over recent years have sparked serious debate over their safety. It’s argued that removing the hard shoulder causes many accidents.
In one instance, two drivers pulled over to exchange insurance details after a minor collision. However, the hard shoulder was being used as an extra lane. A lorry driver using the said lane failed to see the obstruction, which resulted in a fatal collision.
A survey by the RAC shows that nearly 70% of drivers believe removing stiff shoulders is unsafe. However, it could be a case of taking the time to become used to this new feature on our roads. After all, drivers are familiar with the hard shoulder, and it may take some time for them to adjust.
Due to this, the government banned new smart motorway construction on April 15, 2023.
Even if you were driving on the safest motorway in the UK, having a poorly maintained vehicle will still increase your chances of breaking down or having an accident.
Drivers of HGVs must walk around their vehicles before every journey. By doing so, they ensure their vehicle is in good condition and that driving it won’t put other road users in danger.
With Vehicle Maintenance, we make maintenance easy and painless. You’ll get access to pre-negotiated rates with thousands of nationwide dealers and garages. You can also manage your maintenance from the online portal and set reminders and alerts so you never forget when your vehicles need service.
Contact Motia today to learn how we can keep your costs low and your drivers safe!
Providing Fleet Solutions to optimise operations, cut costs, and keep your business moving.
