UK areas with the highest number of road accidents in the last five years, according to new study

A recent study has revealed the top ten areas where the likelihood of being involved in a collision is highest.

The study, conducted by personal injury lawyers Angel Reyes & Associates, analysed UK Government road safety data from 2019 to 2023, the most up-to-date figures available. The aim was to paint a full picture of road safety trends over a sustained period, rather than focusing on a single year. Both fatal and non-fatal collisions were counted to ensure the results reflected the complete scale of the issue.

To compare areas of different sizes fairly, the number of recorded accidents was calculated per 10,000 residents. This allowed smaller towns to be compared on equal terms with major cities, without raw population size skewing the rankings. In total, over 60 areas were examined, using official UK Government records.

County Durham emerged as the most accident-prone area in the UK, with a staggering 940 road accidents per 10,000 residents over the past five years. That’s nearly one crash for every ten people, suggesting that road safety is a major challenge for the area.

A mix of rural and urban roads, varying speed limits, and a wide network of B-roads may contribute to the issue. Rural driving, in particular, often carries a higher risk due to sharp bends, narrower carriageways, and limited lighting. Add in the region’s often damp and icy winter conditions, and it becomes clear why the numbers are so high. Locals will also know that County Durham has long stretches of scenic yet winding roads, beautiful to drive through, but not always forgiving to drivers who let their concentration slip.

In second place is Wakefield, with 521 accidents per 10,000 people, almost half the rate seen in County Durham but still far above the national average. The city’s location in West Yorkshire means it sits at the heart of several major road networks, including the M1 and M62, making it a hub for commuters and freight traffic alike.

Wakefield’s combination of busy high streets, suburban roads, and rural stretches can present a real mix of hazards for drivers. The presence of industrial estates and retail parks means there’s a constant blend of heavy goods vehicles and everyday traffic, while rural roads leading out of the city may pose additional risks for those unfamiliar with the terrain.

Barnsley takes third place, with nearly 418 accidents per 10,000 people. Like Wakefield, Barnsley sits in a region where traffic from multiple directions converges, including those travelling between Sheffield and Leeds.

The mix of urban congestion and open rural roads could be playing a part here, with drivers needing to quickly adapt between busy town driving and faster, less regulated country lanes. Barnsley is also an area where the weather can turn quickly, with fog, rain, and ice creating sudden hazards — a combination that might explain why drivers here are statistically more likely to end up in a collision.

Croydon, in Greater London, ranks fourth with 370 accidents per 10,000 residents. While that’s a step down from the top three, it’s still notably high compared with many other London boroughs.

As one of London’s busiest commuter hubs, Croydon experiences heavy daily traffic, both from locals and drivers passing through on their way into central London. Congestion, tight junctions, and high pedestrian activity can all increase accident risks, while the sheer volume of vehicles means even a small lapse in attention can have costly consequences.

Brighton and Hove lands in fifth place with 338 accidents per 10,000 people. As one of the UK’s most popular seaside cities, Brighton attracts millions of visitors each year, which naturally increases traffic levels, particularly during summer.

Tourist traffic, combined with narrow streets and busy coastal routes, may be key factors in the city’s accident rate. Brighton’s hilly layout and the sometimes confusing one-way systems can also catch out unfamiliar drivers, leading to collisions in areas that locals tend to navigate with ease.

Salford is sixth on the list, with 309 accidents per 10,000 people. Sitting right next to Manchester, Salford’s roads carry not only local traffic but also thousands of commuters heading into the city centre each day.

Busy arterial roads, combined with the presence of major event venues and sports stadiums, can lead to high-pressure driving situations. Match days, for instance, see significant spikes in congestion, with frustrated drivers often making riskier moves than they would under calmer conditions.

Doncaster takes seventh place, with just under 298 accidents per 10,000 people. Known for its transport links, the town sits at the crossroads of several major motorways and A-roads, meaning there’s a constant flow of through traffic.

Industrial areas and large logistics hubs around Doncaster mean that heavy goods vehicles are a common sight, and sharing the road with them can be challenging, particularly for less confident drivers. The proximity to Doncaster Sheffield Airport (before its closure in 2022) also meant bursts of heightened traffic during peak travel seasons, a factor that could still have lingering effects on local accident statistics.

Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, ranks eighth with 290 accidents per 10,000 people. Like several others in the top ten, it sits in an area with both busy town roads and rural stretches, which can make driving conditions highly variable.

The town’s close proximity to Sheffield and its network of industrial estates means roads often see a mix of commercial and commuter traffic. Combined with junction-heavy urban roads and fast rural lanes, it’s a recipe for increased accident risk.

In ninth place, Gateshead recorded 265 accidents per 10,000 people. Bordering Newcastle upon Tyne, it serves as a major commuter route into the city, with many drivers crossing the River Tyne each day.

Gateshead’s accident numbers could also be linked to its location along the busy A1, one of the UK’s key arterial roads. With high traffic volumes and a mix of local and long-distance drivers, there’s plenty of scope for collisions, especially during rush hour.

Rounding out the top ten is Bury, with 249 accidents per 10,000 residents. The town lies within Greater Manchester and has several busy A-roads cutting through it, meaning traffic density is consistently high.

Bury’s accident numbers could also be influenced by its proximity to motorways and the constant flow of vehicles travelling between Manchester and surrounding towns. With high commuter volumes and occasional severe weather in the North West, it’s easy to see how drivers might find themselves in tricky situations more often than the national average.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, London recorded just 1.82 accidents per 10,000 people, the lowest in the study. This may seem surprising given the capital’s notorious traffic, but factors like lower speed limits, extensive CCTV coverage, and heavy public transport use could help explain the safer statistics. Aberdeen, Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, and Cardiff also ranked among the safest, each with fewer than 50 accidents per 10,000 people. These figures suggest that road design, traffic management, and driver behaviour vary widely across the UK, making some areas far safer to navigate than others.

List of the top 20 UK areas with the most road accidents in the last five years: