- Men named John are the most likely to cause accidents
- Ford Fiesta is the car which is involved in the most road accidents
- Law firm reported that the most common incident is being hit from the rear
- Halifax is road accident capital of the UK
New research from law firm Your Legal Friend delves into the statistics of recent road accidents within England and Wales, highlighting the most dangerous drivers on our roads.The study was based on real accident data from their system based on 25,000 claims over the last year.
The research examined factors such as the vehicles, gender and age involved in road accidents, as well as the dates and times that the most and least accidents take place. The research revealed that 93% of accidents resulted in some form of injuries, with neck injuries (74%) as the most common trauma, followed by back injuries (59%).
While there is a common misconception that age is a detrimental factor when its comes to road accidents, the study also revealed that drivers are most likely to cause an accident are at the age of 30. However, it also revealed that drivers are more likely to be on the receiving end of the accident at the age of 32, making your early thirties the most dangerous time to be out on the road.
Wrong place, wrong time
While the climate and weather does sometimes play a large role in road conditions, April was reported as the safest month on the roads with only 7.25% of all accidents, while July was the most dangerous month, with 9% of all accidents happening this month.
- Sundays are the least chaotic day of the week, with less accidents than any other day.
- Fridays are peak time for accidents, as drivers rush home after the working week.
- The most dangerous time to be on the road was 5-6pm. in the evening on any day.
- The research also revealed that the highest proportion of road accidents took place in Halifax, followed by Liverpool, Coventry, Barking and St Albans.
Which vehicle models should you look out for?
Ford cars proved to be the most accident-prone car brand with one involved in 16% of all accidents, Ford Fiesta Zetec models are the most common cars to be involved in an accident.
The 10 vehicle models most likely to cause an accident are:
- Ford Fiesta
- Mercedes Benz Sprinter
- Ford – Focus
- Ford – KA
- Vauxhall – Corsa
- DAF Trucks – LF
- Volvo – FH
- DAF Trucks – CF
- Renault – Clio
- DAF – XF
The 10 vehicles most likely to fall victim to an accident are:
- Ford – Fiesta
- Ford – Focus
- Audi – A3
- Mercedes Benz – Sprinter
- Volkswagen – Golf
- Ford – Ka
- Renault – Clio
- Citroën – DS3
- Vauxhall – Corsa
- Vauxhall – Astra
While these statistics are not proportional to the number of cars it does show that lorries (DAF) are more likely to cause accidents. While this is obvious because of their size, surely we should be concerned at the number of trucks that are on the list that are causing accidents? Is there something that can be done in the haulage community to help prevent numerous accidents?
Philip Waters, a Solicitor from Your Legal Friend commented on the findings: “At one point or another, most people have experienced that heartbreaking moment of their first road accident. This study has revealed some rather interesting statistics, challenging a few common misconceptions about drivers in society today. These facts challenge stereotypes around women drivers and the elderly on the road, showing that men in their early thirties are the most likely to cause, and be involved in, road accidents. While no two drivers are the same, it would seem over-confidence on the road can be the most harmful trait for anyone, and that all drivers should ensure that safety is their first priority while out and about.”
So, whether you’re looking to see if you’re likely to cause an accident or which drivers to avoid on the roads, check out the interactive tool here, or read through a breakdown of the statistics in this graphic.
What do you think of these statistics based on real accident data? Are you a John and drive a Fiesta in Halifax? Have you been a victim of an accident on Friday night and agree with these results? Let us know in the comments.
Without these numbers being related to the numbers of models of cars or lorries on the roads the statistics are meaningless. Isn’t the Fiesta about the most popular and numerous model on UK’s roads? How many accidents are caused by somebody called Algernon?
Exactly John is a very common name and fiesta a common car bound to be high on the stats. Lies lies and statistics
Actually, it’s Lies, d*** lies and insurance statistics.
Statistics are never true. Once they are, they become facts
Do you mean that only common people have accidents? So all toffs are excellent drivers? What about the poor old middle class, don’t they get a say in all this? i think some people are taking this all a little bit too seriously!
I wish people would signal properly at roundabouts. It would improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of accidents!
Well said and I wholeheartedly agree. What is the point of having indicators in a car if some idiot drivers can’t be bothered to use them. Indicators are there for a reason SO USE THEM and help other drivers know where you are going.
Not using them is known as “Driving by telepathy” which goes as follws: I know where I’m going, so should you!
was any of that English? Understandable? Idots?? upcomitence? whew, next time you post add a dictionary…..
Look out, the grammar police are about!
Was there any need for this comment lorna, is it relevant to the post at all? Thought not 🙁
Nice one Lorna. Probably a Fiesta driver!
Why do some people indicate right when they’re going straight on at roundabouts?
If some one can explain this, I will die a happy man
Because this is what the Highway Code tells you to do. You can now die happy!
Uh-Oh! Better check the highway code Mike and the book of common sense!
Have you actually read the Highway Code recently Keith. It says, as it always has, no signal if going straight on then signal left at junction before you leave roundabout. Simple.
Hear! Hear! Well said Keith.
That is rubbish
I don’t know what copy of the Highway code you got that from Mike. Certainly not a standard British one. But hey make your own rules up !!!!!!
Highway code states, if taking the second exit indicate left after passing the first exit, taking the third then indicate right until passing the exit before the one required, not indicate right yet go straight on.
You have to indicate when turning “left” to leave a roundabout. I wish people would do that!
In my copy of the highway code it says to only indicate “right” if taking the last exit or making a full circuit, indicating “left” when changing lanes to exit. Common sense and courtesy.
Because your first action is to not turn left – as has been said before, people are not signalling, hence people are being mind readers and will become complacent, pull out and hit the car going straight on who didn’t indicate his intentions. Indicate right as your first action and then indicate left at your exit. Without looking, may I ask what does the Highway Code tell you to do.
When taking the second exit, indicate left as you pass the first exit.
You’re right. You have to treat everybody on the road as a moron. Motorcyclists particularly need to drive like this, to survive.
Because if you are on a large roundabout with two lanes & are on the inside before you get to the first turn off you get occasionally fools on the outside lane assuming you are about to turn left when they are in the wrong lane and want to turn left. I have seen other drivers suffer accidents because of this
Why does someone, as I was behind several days ago, indicate left and turn right?
must be a nautical chap, turn the rudder one way to go the other 🙂
It was a Ford Fiesta wired up wrong from new!
that’s a mini cab they also wait till the traffic lights change to green before indicating
Must be a BMW or Mercedes driver…
When my husband used to drive he was always making mistakes with his indicators, he didnt know his left from his right, in the end i got fed up with him making mistakes so i marked his hand with L and R he was ok after that
because on larger, multi-lane roundabouts it makes sense to tell other drivers wher you are going. Read your highway code……..
Because they are idiots or were taught by idiots – Simples!
When out walking, I once flagged down a motorist who had failed to signal and told him his indicator was faulty. When he said it wasn’t, I pointed out that, in that case, the driver must be faulty. His passenger wife agreed!
Join thCareful, don’t put too much faithin people indicating! I had somebody slowing and indicating to turn left into the road I was pulling out of at a cross roads, I went ahead and wallop! They changed theri mind and carried straight on into me. The galling bit is that I’m held responsible. It sure changed your attitude to the traffic heading towards you as you wait to get out of a side road and I imagine some folk wonder what the delay is.e discussion
I think you might have been a victim of crash for cash.
Do NOT rely on ‘indication’! No roundabouts in the USA for good reason. A friend of mine was a driving examiner, he was ‘hauled over the coals’ for not passing enough immigrants. He replied that they would only pass if they learnt to drive. He no longer has the job.
And drive slowly around them,helping a better traffic flow..
You should see some of the roundabouts near me – why would you expect any driver to indicate when most roundabouts are dictatorial. Lanes decided, painted and arrowhead, marked strategically so most drivers have no idea where to go if they are not local. Mayhem in the summer – road signs complicated and defying all logic.
I used to be an ADI and teach in Bournemouth and Poole, seriously difficult on traffic lighted roundabouts. The best roundabout is the one that is at the end of the Wimborne bypass, my that really does need to win an award, for the most stupid design. The person who designed that must have been a serious alcoholic. That surely has to be their excuse. It is absolute mayhem with tourists. It definitely defies logic.
I expect no signs and use my eyes, watching the wheels, positioning and face of the driver and have learned telepathy.
My pet hate, people we can only signal left at roundabouts. They want to run right but as you have to lift your indicator stalk up they can’t do it; so the car (me ) who wants to just go straight on at the roundabout sees the car from the other direction coming and as its not signalling you would think it was also going straight on but no they turn right across you path (as they have right of way!!) and to make things worse they then signal off left onto the road they have just turned right into !!! Arrrhhh!!
Does this mean increased insurance premiums just because of my name?
As long as you don’t drive a fiesta you’ll be ok lol
How many of theses “so called accidents are accidental?”
There is lack of basic reminders ie govt sponsored signage covering basic Highway Code rules, these were everywhere back in the 1960s on tv, filling stations on moterway verges. This could highlight the most important and dangerous aspects of road safety,
Perhaps this could be sponsored by insurance company’s allowing them to advertise there own company’s at the same time.
Just reading a Highway Code after passing you’re test would help also being taught to drive instead of being taught how to pass your test would be an improvement
Like life in general these days especially schools taught to pass exams but know nothing.
I passed my car test in 1964 in a ford Anglia in those days you were told to dip your headlights for a oncoming car now days it’s blind the oncoming cars / cyclist and pedestrians must wear bright clothing so they can be seen at night now days it black only and no lights on cycles ,the BBC used to broadcast this every night
sorry but a “John” driving an Audi has got to be the worse….. John/Fiesta are probably the most common name/car therfore would expet they would be involved in more accidents than say a “Cedric” driving say a merc or a jag
No. John’s are far too common to be able to afford a nice car let alone an Audi
My own estimate is that 50% of all drivers do not use the yellow box correctly when turning right and exit is clear. Effectively less cars cross the junction and tail backs lengthen.
This is because they are afraid of being caught on a camera doing something and getting a fixed penalty.
I have two comments to make, the first regarding the use of indicators. They should be used to warn other drivers of your intentions. Some people don’t indicate until they are actually turning!
Secondly, the high percentage of lorries which are reported to be causing accidents. Having recently driven the length of the M1 and then the A1(M) from London to Newcastle, I was dismayed to see such a large number of lorries driving far too close to the vehicle in front. Don’t they know what the braking distance of their vehicle is at 60 mph? It certainly isn’t one or two car lengths!
Not if they’re foreign drivers. They only think in kph.
Indicators are to inform other road users, not just drivers(sorry to be pedantic). This includes pedestrians; horse riders cyclist etc.
I wish people would take right turns correctly. I.e: not cutting corners. I have almost lost the front end of my car many times, because people start turning too early and cut the corner. The worst ones are those who almost touch the curb while turning. If you did this in a test, you’d fail.
So the commonest make of car and the commonest male forename are involved in the most accidents. It is hardly earth shattering news.
And someone has been paid how much to study this ?????
Back to basics on this matter of roundabouts. The Highway Code ( Rules 184 to 190 ) cover Roundabouts.
Rule 185 in particular should be noted.
Rule 185
When reaching the roundabout you should
give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights
check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way. If so, proceed, but still look to the right before joining
watch out for all other road users already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or at all
look forward before moving off to make sure traffic in front has moved off.
John in a Fiesta – what a load of bol*****s
These statistics just seem to reflect most common car type, most common name and times when there are most cars on the road, so simple reflection of law if probability!
The simple reason for these cod statistics is that there are lots of people called John and lots of Ford Fiestas.
It doesn’t mean that Horace in a Humvee isn’t going to be a far greater threat.
An I.Q. Test before being allowed on the road
that would cut down the 2 hundred thousand mini cabs in London thanks to TFL
From my perspective as a former Department of Transport statistician, without comparing the incidence of accident involvement to the miles driven (whether vehicle model, drivers of specific age or the geographic location) these figures are untrue — outside their specific context of insurance claims per policy.
If you look at the official road accident statistics, the overwhelmingly significant correlation is for young male drivers having the highest accident involvement per mile travelled. The Ford models appearing as most likely to “fall victim to an accident” are indeed favorites amongst young drivers because of their excellent performance.
Interesting. Are these statistics used to apply higher insurance costs if I drive a Fiesta and called John (neither apply to me)??
Once we know the number of each type of cars on the road divided by the total number of cars on the road then we can make a comment on which type of car is the most dangerous. The same goes for the name of the driver.
The interpretation to the stats in this article are meaningless.
Isn’t John the most common name in the UK? and the Ford Fiesta the best selling car in the UK?
The statistics are meaningless
James
We have the same name and wrote almost the same comment, you are not my long lost twin are you?
when i come out of a side road onto a main i will not move until i have made eye contact with any oncoming driver.
You should actually wait until they turn, regardless of what their eyes reveal. However, we nearly all do trust a left indicating driver if the roads are hellish busy.
These days people do not seem to have any patience when driving, taking a risks to trying to save a few seconds. That also shows in the amount of takeaways, no patience to cook.
Absolutely right. This is typified by people pulling out past parked cars on their side of the road causing oncoming traffic to brake, another breach of the Highway Code
Attitude should be taught when giving driving lessons. People today have no respect for others or manners. Clearly demonstrated in every day driving and a contributing factor towards road accidents.
Perhaps we need legislation for compulsory a first name display on the front of vehicles, in a prominent location, especially if you have the misfortune to have been named ‘John’. What’s more, if this rather data is credible, it does rather negate insurance underwriters’ assertions that us old ‘uns are the greater insurance risk. Perhaps the term ‘risk’ need to be amended to ‘soft touch easy target’?
Totally meaningless statistics
…Unless they are factored by the number of each vehicle on the road and the miles they cover. Trucks may be involved in a lot of accidents but guess what, they’re on the road a lot more, so any idiot could have produced this kind of relationship.
I try to avoid Rover drivers wearing a hat and smoking a pipe!
Especially if it’s an old series land rover, you best not argue with one of those as you will come off worse.
The only way to be reasonably safe on British roadi is to assume that all other drivers are speed freaks ,poor drivers or rude and inconsiderate of other road users. Regrettably they are often all three .
This is rubbish ! So you are more likely to have an accident in a Ford as you are more likely to be driving one!! Useless without statistical analysis.
You do get people whom indicate last meter before turning . Which is a complete waste of time and very annoying!
John must surely be one of the most common names in the uk and along with Fiesta’s being such a hugely popular make this is non news looking for a headline.
Great conversation maker but assume this came from the junior school of stas analysts.
Fiesta most likely to be in an accident- and the most popular car on the road is?
Ford most likely car manufacturer- and the most popular manufacturer is?
Pointless stats that don’t really challenge anything
Doesn’t surprise me. A lot of people who drive Fords are those with little knowledge of cars or motoring and buy them because ‘they always have’ and are ‘a trusted brand’. A bit like people who’ve been with British Gas all their lives, paying way over the odds because they feel they’re being loyal or don’t know about price comparison sites. Some of the other vehicles are commercials (white van man) or cars that are popular with younger drivers (Golf, Clio, Corsa, Ka, Astra). Avoid these cars, change your name, and get cheaper insurance!
IME easily the worst drivers are invariably in a Vauxhall – although they may not cause the most accidents as maybe other road users know not to trust them and steer clear if possible…
Saying ford fiestas is the most likely car to be involved in an accident is a load of twoddle. It’s the most popular super mini on the road.☹
The problem with the lack of signalling is that BMW indicators seem to have a habit of failing regularly. I suggest that it is probably the car’s control computer that is at fault!
John I’m don’t drive a fiesta, I don’t live in Halifax. I’m not prone to having accidents either! Your Legal Friend conducted this survey? Are they even qualified, WoW!
John I’m don’t drive a fiesta, I don’t live in Halifax. I’m not prone to having accidents either! Your Legal Friend conducted this survey? Are they even qualified, WoW!
admin please remove this comment your system was playing up
This is nonsense, it does not take into account numbers of each model. The Fiesta and Focus must be the most common cars on British roads given the longevity of the models and continuing popularity. For comparison it would be more meaningful to give a ratio or percentage of accidents for each model. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/102542/best-selling-cars-2018-pictures#1
thank you , my name is JOHN i have 3 licences /a motor bike/a car and a hgv class 1artics i passed all 3 first time i have since taken for something to do now i am retired a theory test and passed 1st time .The most dangerous drivers are mini cabs they haven’t a clue where they are going an dont care who they cut up getting there
The theory test is a bit stupid for an older experienced driver. I like one of the possible answers to “‘What should you do if you pass an ice cream van?’.
Answer: ”Stop and buy one”. Really?
Why do some people drive like twats all the time. No answer to that is there…….
lots of b*****t! especially one with name;-)
Reckon many drive without licences, insurance, lessons from professionals etc. Lets be honest there are too few police to keep check on the idiot drivers around. Wrong lanes, cutting across by millimeters, taking stupid risks with no consideration for others. The van men, always late and in a hurry tend (not all) to be some of the worst. Perhaps we should take numbers, company names and report and complain.
Ford Fiestas have been built for 40 years and are to commonest small cars on the road. Their involvement in many accidents is hardly surprising!
How is it that the highway code goes out of the window when drivers enter a supermarket car park.
Join the discussion
Knowing the way insurance can work sometimes it does worry me that my name is John. Would someone explain what is the correct way to signal at an island.
Lorries sit on the tailgate of the lorry in front to slip stream ( cut down their wind resistance)
This saves them fuel and money.
“The research revealed that 93% of accidents resulted in some form of injuries, with neck injuries (74%) as the most common trauma
This is often down to the insurance company solicitor advising to claim for “whiplash”.
100% correct. There are lots of very slow speed accidents. People have become accustomed to make fraudulent claims as they are encouraged to do so. It’s an easy way to make thousands tax free. We all pay for these lying con merchants.
One of the most distracting things when driving is when a vehicle is too close behind you.
To to do with other peoples driving, never assume anything, when your waiting at junction to pull out, and a driver on the main road indicates to get off, always remember they could change their mind, so wait till they have got off the road, then pull out.
To do with roundabouts, the most dangerous thing is when a driver stays in the left lane all the way round, obstructing other drivers from getting off, the roundabout.
I was taught mirror, signal, manouerve.As a driver you need to concentrate and think ahead to be safe on the road, that whats I aim to do.
my biggest hate is people who signal left on roundabout – then proceed to take the second left – although no indication is infuriating , an early indication is downright dangerous
I driver Fords, not Fiesta, for 11 years. never had an accident.
by the way, my name is John
stupid statistics