THE UK’s deadliest regions for drivers have been revealed – but are they near you?
New figures have exposed a startling rise in road deaths linked to dangerous and careless driving across the country.
Between 2021 and 2024, more than 4,000 people have tragically lost their lives due to irresponsible driving.
This alarming spike comes during the UK’s Road Safety Week.
There were 2,634 recorded instances of causing death or serious injury by dangerous driving from 2021 to 2024 and 1,490 recorded instances of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving during the same period.
Figures show that dangerous driving is most prevalent in certain areas, with Greater Manchester taking the top spot for fatalities caused by reckless drivers.
Over the past four years, there have been 223 recorded instances of death or serious injury caused by dangerous driving in the region.
The government has taken action, with Greater Manchester Police launching initiatives to tackle speeding in five districts earlier this year.
West Yorkshire and the Metropolitan area also saw alarmingly high numbers of dangerous driving incidents, with 215 and 189 reports respectively.
The most recent data from the Home Office paints a bleak picture as dangerous driving deaths saw a three per cent rise in this period.
Fatal incidents involving careless or inconsiderate driving have nearly tripled, increasing by a staggering 179 per cent.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, said, “These figures are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by irresponsible driving.
“With more than 4,000 reports of causing deaths by dangerous and careless or inconsiderate driving recorded in the past four years it’s clear that greater awareness, enforcement, and driver education are crucial to making our roads safer.”
While deaths due to dangerous driving are on the rise, the real eye-opener is the surge in fatalities linked to careless or inconsiderate behaviour behind the wheel.
The Metropolitan Police area leads the country in deaths caused by careless driving, with 139 reported incidents from 2021 to 2024.
Over just one year, the number of deaths caused by such behaviour doubled, climbing by 107 per cent from 38 to 79.
The sharpest rise in careless driving fatalities was recorded between 2022 and 2023, a worrying trend that experts believe is linked to distractions such as mobile phone use and adjusting in-car entertainment systems.
Other regions seeing troubling numbers of careless driving deaths include West Yorkshire, with 123 incidents, and Devon and Cornwall, where 82 fatalities were recorded in the past four years.
The statistics highlight a disturbing trend, with much of the reckless driving fatalities “avoidable”.
Mr Conway added: “It’s particularly worrying to see the sharp rise in deaths caused by careless or inconsiderate driving as it often stems from behaviours that are entirely avoidable.
“Actions such as using a mobile phone, adjusting the radio, or momentary lapses in attention can have devastating consequences not only for drivers but also for pedestrians and other road users.”
Dangerous Driving causing deaths and serious injury (2021–2024)
Careless and Inconsiderate driving causing deaths and serious injury (2021–2024)
