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12 Car Accident Statistics You Need To Know

12 Car Accident Statistics You Need To Know

03/11/2023

In a given year, tens of thousands of people get involved in car accidents in the UK. This is a scary figure but how likely is a car accident? 

Is there a certain car that is safer than another? What can you do to make sure you’re as safe as possible in a car?  

Car accident statistics might not be everyone's cup of tea, but understanding these figures is crucial for your safety.  

Not only do they shed light on the causes and effects of accidents, but they also inform policies and instigate safety measures.  

Let’s dive into the must-know car accident and road safety statistics in the UK, as well as what you can do to stay safe on the road. 

What are the odds of being in a car accident in the UK?

In 2022, 0.21% of the UK population were involved in a car accident. There were 143,326 injuries caused by car accidents in the UK according to the 2022 Department for Transport Annual Report.  

How many car accidents are fatal?

Fortunately, of the 143,326 injuries, only 1,766 car accident casualties were fatal. This means your chances of dying in a car accident on your daily drive are extremely low, far less than 1%. 

What are the odds of dying in a car accident without a seatbelt?

Soberingly, 21% of car accident deaths occur in cars where the driver or passenger isn’t wearing a seatbelt. Please, always wear your seatbelt. 

How many alcohol-related car crashes are there?

Alcohol has and likely always will be one of the leading causes of car accidents.  

According to the official UK Government data, around 5% of all car accidents involve at least one driver or passenger over the legal alcohol limit. 

Although the number of fatal car accidents in Great Britain is low, of those, in 2020 between 200 and 240 people were killed and at least one driver was over the legal alcohol limit.   

(Source: Reported road casualties in Great Britain, final estimates involving illegal alcohol levels: 2020.) 

Are Car Accidents More Likely to Occur During the Winter?

Summer is known to be the most likely season for car accidents, but it’s not down to weather or poor driving conditions. Instead, it’s just because there are far more people out on the road. 

More people driving equals more crashes, is the same reason why fatal car accidents went down by more than 10% during the pandemic in 2020. 

Does speeding increase the likelihood of a crash?

Speeding is the number one cause of car accidents worldwide. When you’re speeding, you decrease your reaction time as well as increase the stopping distance, so the likelihood of an accident sharply increases. Put simply, it’s a lot more difficult to avoid an obstacle if you are over the speed limit.  

Always obey speed limits, they are there for your and everyone else’s safety.  

Who Is Statistically More Likely To Be In A Car Accident?

When it comes to who is most likely to be involved in a car accident, statistics show that there are different factors at play.  

What age group is most likely to be involved in a crash in the UK?

Young male drivers under the age of 25 are four times more likely to be involved in a car accident than drivers aged 25 or over. 

Worryingly, young car drivers account for a quarter of drivers killed in reported drink driving accidents despite only representing 7% of drivers in the UK.  

(Source: Department For Transport, Facts On Young Drivers, 2015)  

Are men or women more likely to crash?

Men are more likely to experience a casualty from driving, with 62% of all car-related injuries being male. And sadly, 78% of all car fatalities are male according to the Department For Transport 2021 report. 

Which make of car has the most accidents?

Did you know that the Toyota Prius is the most accident-prone car in the UK, with 1,207 crashes for every 100,000 Toyota Priuses on the road? 

(Source: Reported road collisions, vehicles and casualties tables for Great Britain) 

What car has the least accidents?

If you’re looking for a safe vehicle, then you might want to consider an Audi. Audis account for the least number of accidents in the UK per 10,000 cars, according to a 2021 report by Riverdale Leasing. 

Which is more dangerous - motorbikes or cars?

Sadly, a motorcyclist is 45 times more likely to be killed in an accident than a car driver. Clearly, motorbikes are inherently more dangerous than cars on the road. So if you’re thinking about driving a bike, think twice.  

(Source: Motorbikeclaims.org.uk)

What’s the most dangerous car colour?

Research from carVertical showed that red cars were the likeliest to have been in an accident, with 60% of vehicles on their platform having been involved in one. Oddly, brown was the second riskiest colour, with 59%, and black came in third with 57%. 

Conversely, the safest car colours are white and grey with only 50% of them being involved in an accident.   

How To Stay Safe On The Road

Regardless of your age or what car you happen to be driving, the number one factor that influences the likelihood of an accident is your own behaviour behind the wheel.  

Follow our top five tips for how to stay safe.

  1. Distracted driving - whether due to texting, eating, or fiddling with the radio - can have deadly consequences. Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel at all times, even more so in the dark or impaired weather conditions. 
  2. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only illegal, it's incredibly dangerous. It impairs your ability to drive and dramatically increases your risk of an accident. Always have a designated driver or use a taxi if you've been drinking or using drugs. 
  3. Wearing seat belts is non-negotiable. They save lives by preventing occupants from being ejected during a crash or from impacting the interior of the vehicle. 
  4. Observe speed limits. Speed limits are there for a reason. Speeding reduces your control over the vehicle and your reaction time to unexpected situations. 
  5. Road Signs. Don't forget the importance of indicators and understanding road signs. They communicate your intentions to other drivers and help you navigate the roads safely. 

Final Words

After reading all these statistics, we hope you feel assured that the chances of a serious car accident are extremely low. However, if you do find yourself in a car accident with car repairs needed, then you might want to consider Bumper.

With Bumper, you can spread the cost of any repairs, at no extra cost. Apply for a credit limit and find a reliable service partner.

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