Most Dangerous Roads in Britain

Based on a calculation using the number of accidents and volume of road users, a 12km section of road between Macclesfield and Buxton (the A537, well known as the ‘Cat and Fiddle’ route) remains one of Britain’s most dangerous roads. Over the past three years there has been a dramatic 42% increase in the number of fatal and serious collisions. That’s two deaths or serious injuries for every kilometre. It is especially dangerous for motorcyclists who were involved in over two-thirds of fatal and serious collisions. Likewise, if you travel on the A4069 from Llangadog to Llandovery, you are incurring 8 times the risk of an average single-carriageway road!

The map below highlights the highest risk routes for each of the main UK regions. Interestingly, each route is a single carriageway, so statistically, it’s much safer to travel by motorway.

Motorcyclists

Unfortunately motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable.
They are more likely to be killed in road crashes than any other road user. They account for just 2% of road travel but 16% of all road deaths. The survey showed that accidents involving a motorcycle typically happen on single carriageways in rural settings through, or on the way to national parks or coastal areas.

The highest risk roads for motorcyclists are:

• A537 – Macclesfield to Buxton (Again, the ‘Cat and Fiddle’ route)
• A686 (Penrith to Haydon Bridge)
• A5012 (A515 to A6)
• A621 (A619 to Totley)
• A54 (Congleton to Buxton)

• Give the vehicle a once over – check lights are clean and functioning, oil level is correct, tyre condition good and pressures as per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Make sure that the windscreen washer reservoir is full and that it incorporates proper screenwash additive.
• Consider carrying spare pre-diluted fluid too, as in icy conditions, there’s nothing more irritating and potentially dangerous than when your windscreen washers run out and you’re struggling to clear road salt and muck from the screen.
• Take regular breaks.
• Turn the mobile phone off.
• Take the motorway – it’s still the safest option per vehicle mile.