The Most Deadly UK Roads

Any road can be deadly if a driver is not in control of the vehicle, but certain roads have statistics that are much higher than the national average, so it is good to be aware of them, especially if they are part of a route that you will be taking in the future. Below are some of the most dangerous roads in the UK.

The A1 (Motorway)

The A1 motorway connects London to Edinburgh and was constructed between 1965 and 2018. This route carries up to 70,000 vehicles daily and is considered a critical transportation route. Despite many upgrades, it remains extremely hazardous, with over 10,000 vehicles involved in collisions between 2013 and 2023, with 172 deaths in the same period. One reason for the number of incidents is the sheer volume of traffic along the route, as the A1 connects several large cities such as Doncaster, Leeds, and Peterborough to London and Edinburgh. It is also a major route for commercial vehicles alongside commuter vehicles.

A38

The A38 runs between Bodmin, Cornwall, to Mansfield in Nottingham and is one of the major trunk roads in the UK, traversing 292 miles. Between 2018 and 2022, in Cornwall alone, there were 192 collisions, resulting in 9 deaths, with 203 serious injuries. The A38 covers many rural areas, and the road has many changes, such as tight turns, narrow lanes at points, steep hills, and merging lanes. The route also has weather-related issues that happen, especially with flooding and traffic increases during the summer months, increasing the accident risk, especially toward the southwest.

M6

The M6 Motorway is considered another very dangerous route in the UK, with over 7,800 vehicles reporting incidents involving debris on the carriageway. The M6 is the longest motorway in the UK and has many issues, from poor surface problems to roadworks and congestion. It also has the highest number of fatal accidents recorded for any motorway.

M25

The M25 encircles Greater London and spans over 188km, covering Kent, Surry, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex. It is one of the UK’s longest and busiest ring roads. The M25 is an essential service connection to London’s major airports, commercial centres and docks. Statistics show that the average number of collisions along this route is approximately 760 incidents annually. Most of these incidents are due to speeding, poor driving, high congestion, and frustrating roadworks.

A628

The A628 runs between Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire and is just over 38 miles long; it runs over the Pennine Hills and across the Peak District, and with its exposure to high altitudes and adverse weather conditions, it is perilous at times, and the accident rates are pretty high, especially in the winter months. The statistics along this route speak for themselves, and drivers are always urged to proceed with much caution along this road as in just over three years recently, there have been 20 deaths with more than 88 severe collisions.

A357

The A357, known as the Cat and Fiddle Inn Road, is only 7.5 miles long and runs between Buxton and Macclesfield. It is a very popular route due to its scenic views, especially for motorbikers, as it has very challenging bends and steep hills. Speed limits have been reduced to 50MPH in an attempt to reduce accidents, but still, the collision rates remain very high, and care should be taken when using this route, especially during the winter.

A592

The A593, the Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria, is a very hazardous route stretching between Ambleside and Patterdale in Ullswater. Due to its rural location, accidents that happen here may sometimes require help from Mountain Rescue teams, especially in adverse weather conditions. This is also a route where locals will tell of ghostly apparitions appearing on the road near particularly lethal crash sites.

A57

The A57 Snake Pass is a particularly dangerous route with many twists and turns as it winds its way over the Pennine Hills. With over 140 collisions in a four-year period, it ranks as one of the highest in the UK. Due to its remote and rural location, poor mobile phone signal can also hinder breakdown and recovery efforts, so it is wise to be aware of these issues before attempting the route.

All roads in the winter months are far more treacherous than usual, so it is wise to have everything you need in the car, such as a winter kit, to make sure you are more than prepared for any eventuality that may happen during your trip. This includes warm blankets, water and snacks, a spare phone charger, a warning triangle, and a de-icer. Make sure you alert family and friends to your arrival times and the route you will be taking. Stay alert to all radio traffic and weather bulletins to ensure you stay ahead of any road closures or redirections.