New research has revealed the most dangerous UK areas to drive in outside of London, with Blackpool coming out on top.
The study by insurance brokers OneSureInsurance analysed historical data from the Department for Transport Statistics to see which UK areas outside of London had the highest average collisions per billion vehicle miles over a ten-year period.
It found that Blackpool is statistically the UK’s most dangerous area to drive in outside of London. Between 2012 and 2021, there were, on average, 1,113 collisions per billion vehicle miles in the area. 2012 was found to have the highest numbers, with 1,370 collisions per billion vehicle miles, and 2020 was seemingly the lowest, with just 849 collisions per billion vehicle miles.
Coming in a close second is Hull, with 950 annual collisions per billion vehicle miles on average. The area’s most dangerous year was found to be 2012, with 1,056 collisions per billion vehicle miles, and 2021 was the safest, with just 784.
Third place goes to Luton, which has had 911 annual collisions per billion vehicle miles on average across the years recorded in the study. Figures were highest in 2016, with 1,013 collisions per billion vehicle miles, and lowest in 2021, with 771 collisions per billion vehicle miles.
Fourth place goes to the Brighton and Hove area, which comes in with 903 collisions per billion vehicle miles. Collisions were highest in 2012, with 999 per billion vehicle miles, and at their lowest in 2017, with 827.
Rounding out the top five is Southampton, with the area seeing an average of 855 collisions per billion vehicle miles. Collisions were highest in 2012, with 1,008 collisions for every billion vehicle miles and lowest in 2020, with just 700 per billion vehicle miles.
When looking at all UK areas, the average number of collisions per billion vehicle miles is 550.
| Rank | UK Local Authority | Average collisions per billion vehicle miles 2012-2021 |
| 1 | Blackpool | 1,113 |
| 2 | Kingston upon Hull, City of | 950 |
| 3 | Luton | 911 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove | 903 |
| 5 | Southampton | 855 |
| 6 | Blackburn with Darwen | 840 |
| 7 | Nottingham | 833 |
| 8 | Southend-on-Sea | 811.34 |
| 9 | Reading | 811.28 |
| 10 | Leicester | 792 |
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for OneSureInsurance said: “While many might have expected figures to be lower in 2020 and 2021 due to ongoing lockdowns and thus fewer cars on the road, in some areas, this isn’t even the case, with some areas even having their highest figures yet in that timeframe. The top ten contains areas from every corner of the country, which highlights how road safety should be paramount, no matter where you are in the UK.”
