What the UK's road safety data tells everyday drivers

The Department for Transport publishes detailed records of every reported personal injury road collision in Great Britain going back to 1979, and that information is freely available to anyone who wants to understand road risk in the UK.

The data covers collisions, the vehicles involved and the casualties that resulted, building a picture of road danger that spans more than four decades. Because the records go back so far, it is possible to see how accident patterns have shifted over time, which types of roads carry the highest risk, and how casualty numbers have changed as vehicle safety and road design have improved.

For an ordinary driver, this kind of information is genuinely useful. If you are curious about accident rates on a particular type of road, at certain times of year, or among specific groups of road users such as cyclists or motorcyclists, the Department for Transport's published tables can give you real figures rather than anecdote. Understanding where risk is highest can help you make more considered decisions about how and when you travel.

One thing the data also reflects, year after year, is that vehicle condition plays a part in road safety outcomes. A car that is properly maintained, with tyres in good shape, brakes that work correctly and lights that function, is less likely to contribute to a collision. If your vehicle is overdue a service or an MOT, finding a reliable garage is a straightforward way to reduce that risk. Garage.co.uk helps drivers find a trusted independent garage and book it directly for MOTs, servicing and repairs, with no fees or commission.