New research by Manchester-based fuel supplier Crown Oil into five years’ worth of the Government’s road accident figures up to 2018 reveals that Powys tops a list of the 20 most deadly places in Britain to drive.

The data from the Department for Transport shows that, when accounting for population, Powys had the most fatalities on its roads during 2013 and  2018, with a frightening 8 losses of life per year.

Project manager, Crown Oil, Dave Webb said: “The figures are frightening and highlight the importance of taking care on the roads, especially as we head into winter. With shorter days and longer nights, drivers experience reduced visibility and poor grip from wet and icy roads.”

Mr Webb added: “There’s no real secret to driving safely. At Crown Oil, our fleet takes road safety seriously and we advise our drivers to keep within speed limits and keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front. We regularly update our fleet to ensure the utmost safety of our drivers when they are out making deliveries.”

20 Deadliest Regions for Drivers

 

Local Authority

Av. annual fatal accidents

Population

Av. annual fatal accidents per 100,000 people

Powys

10.6

132,447

8.00

East Lindsey

10.6

140,741

7.53

Perth and Kinross

10.8

151,290

7.14

Highland

16.4

235,540

6.96

Aberdeenshire

14.2

261,470

5.43

Cheshire East

16.4

380,790

4.31

Northumberland

13.2

319,000

4.14

East Riding of Yorkshire

13.4

339,614

3.95

Central Bedfordshire

10.8

283,606

3.81

Doncaster

10.8

310,542

3.48

Cornwall

19

563,600

3.37

Leeds

15.2

474,632

3.20

Cheshire West and Chester

10.8

340,502

3.17

Shropshire

15.2

493,200

3.08

Wiltshire

22

716,400

3.07

Sheffield

11.2

518,090

2.16

County Durham

17.8

862,000

2.06

Manchester

10.8

534,982

2.02

Birmingham

19.8

1,086,000

1.82

 

Fatalities on British roads have also been largely consistent over the last 5-years, around the 1,700 mark. Government’s 2018 report says: 30% drop compared to 2008.

Year

Fatal Accidents

% difference

2018

1784

-1%

2017

1793

0%

2016

1792

4%

2015

1730

-3%

2014

1775

 

 

Compared with 2014

1%

Meanwhile, total accidents have been decreasing over the last 5-years, positive news for drivers.

Year

Total road accidents

% difference

2018

122,635

-6%

2017

129,982

-5%

2016

136,621

-2%

2015

140,056

-4%

2014

146,322

 

 

Compared with 2014

-16%

The number of vehicles involved in accidents follows a similar trend, as one would expect, although well over 200,000 vehicles being involved in accidents is still a scary thought.

 

Year

Total number of vehicles in accidents

% difference

2018

226409

-5%

2017

238926

-5%

2016

252500

-2%

2015

257848

-4%

2014

268527

NA

 

Compared with 2014

-16%

 

Crown Oil was also able to unearth the largest accident in each year (i.e number of vehicles attributed to one accident), with a fatal 37-vehicle, 36-casualty accident on the M40 on the 14 February 2015 being the most vehicles recorded in a single accident in the last five years. 2018 saw a 24-car crash which involved a bus driving into parked cars – fortunately, despite multiple injuries, it was not fatal.

Year

Most vehicles in one accident

Road name

Location

2018

24

Hythe Street

Dartford

2017

23

A390

Cornwall

2016

16

A60

Doncaster

2015

37

M40

Cherwell

2014

21

A380

Teignbridge