Study reveals which local authorities have the highest collision rates over Christmas and New Year’s Eve
- Moray, Scotland, has the highest percentage of road accidents over the holidays, according to a new study.
- The research examined regional data on the number of collisions throughout the festive period between 2019 and 2023.
- East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, and Na h-Eileanan Siar, Scotland, round out the top three most dangerous places to drive this Christmas.
New data reveals the deadliest places to drive this Christmas period.
The study, conducted by accident compensation experts Claims.co.uk, examined GOV.UK data on the number of road collisions throughout December from 2019 to 2023. The local authorities with the highest percentage of crashes happening on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have been named the most unsafe for drivers.
Moray, Scotland, is the most dangerous place for drivers over the holidays. According to the study, 3.98% of all car accidents occurred between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, which is 352.27% above the national average of 0.88%. Boxing Day has the highest number with eight road collisions.
East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, is the second deadliest place for drivers, with 3.45% of all accidents happening during the festive period, which is 292.04% above the national average. With a total of eight collisions, Boxing Day is the most dangerous day.
Drivers in Na h-Eileanan Siar, Scotland, are the third most likely to see road collisions between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. In total, 2.97% of all December collisions happened during these eight days, which is 237.5% above the national average. Christmas Day saw the highest number at two collisions.
In fourth place is Erewash, Derbyshire, England. According to the study, there were seven recorded crashes on Christmas Eve between 2019 and 2023. A total of 2.84% of collisions that took place in December happened over the festive period, which is 222.72% above the national average.
Table 1: The worst places to drive this Christmas
|
Rank |
Local Authority |
Percentage of December crashes taking place throughout the festive period (2019-2023) |
|
1 |
Moray, Scotland |
3.98% |
|
2 |
East Dunbartonshire, Scotland |
3.45% |
|
3 |
Na h-Eileanan Siar, Scotland |
2.97% |
|
4 |
Erewash, Derbyshire, England |
2.84% |
|
5 |
Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales |
2.56% |
|
6 |
Shetland Islands, Scotland |
2.53% |
|
7 |
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England |
2.48% |
|
8 |
Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England |
2.39% |
|
9 |
Northampton, Northamptonshire, England |
2.23% |
|
=10 |
Sefton, Merseyside, England |
1.86% |
|
=10 |
East Lothian, Scotland |
1.86% |
Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, has the fifth most dangerous roads for drivers this Christmas. With 12 crashes recorded on Christmas Eve, the festive season has seen 2.56% of accidents from December, which is 190.90% above the national average.
Shetland Islands, Scotland, is the sixth worst local authority for drivers over Christmas, with 2.53% of crashes happening over the festive period, which is 187.5% above the national average. Christmas Day has the highest number of collisions between 2019 and 2023 at two.
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, and Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, follow in sixth, seventh, and eighth place, with 2.48%, 2.39%, and 2.23% respectively. With 1.86% of collisions happening throughout the holidays, Sefton, Merseyside, England, and East Lothian, Scotland, tie as the tenth deadliest places to drive in the coming month.
On the other hand, nine local authorities tie as the safest places for drivers over the festive period. Isles of Scilly, England, Orkney Islands, Scotland, Chiltern, Buckinghamshire, England, and more have seen no collisions between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day from December 2019 to 2023.
A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk has commented, “These findings highlight the most dangerous places for drivers over the festive period, with Moray, Scotland, coming out on top. It’s crucial for drivers to stay vigilant during the coming weeks, as the combination of adverse weather, increased traffic, and holiday distractions make this period particularly hazardous.
“To stay safe, drivers should ensure their vehicles are winter-ready by checking tyre pressure and tread depth, and they should reduce their driving speed in icy or wet conditions. They can also avoid unnecessary travel during peak holiday hours as this will significantly lower the risk of accidents.”
Table 2: The safest places to drive this Christmas
|
Rank |
Local Authority |
Percentage of December crashes taking place throughout the festive period (2019-2023) |
|
=1 |
Isles of Scilly, England |
0.00% |
|
=1 |
Orkney Islands, Scotland |
0.00% |
|
=1 |
Chiltern, Buckinghamshire, England |
0.00% |
|
=1 |
Clackmannanshire, Scotland |
0.00% |
|
=1 |
Tamworth, Staffordshire, England |
0.00% |
|
=1 |
South Bucks, Buckinghamshire, England |
0.00% |
|
=1 |
East Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, England |
0.00% |
|
=1 |
Kettering, Northamptonshire, England |
0.00% |
|
=1 |
Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire, England |
0.00% |
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