Almost half of UK adults don’t feel safe on our roads

New research exposes the stark reality that UK roads are far from safe. Almost half of adults (44%) believe their local streets are dangerous, while only 29% feel confident they are safe to travel on and more than half (55%) believe roads in their area have become more dangerous over the last year.

Alarmingly, statistics show that nearly one in five (19.4%) witnesses dangerous driving multiple times a day highlighting the scale of the problem and the urgent need for change.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults reveals widespread concern about road conditions and driver behaviour, painting a picture of communities where fear and risk are part of everyday travel:

• 48% avoid certain roads because they feel unsafe.
• 65% say poor road conditions, such as potholes and narrow lanes, make them feel vulnerable.
• 52% want improved road surfaces, while 46% call for better street lighting.
• 31% believe speed limits should be lowered, yet 23% admit to speeding themselves.

This contradiction between what people want and how they behave underscores the complexity of road safety. While infrastructure improvements are a priority for many, personal responsibility remains a critical factor.

Beyond speeding, the research exposes a catalogue of risky behaviours that put lives at risk every day:

• 26.6% eat or drink while driving.
• 24.4% adjust in-car settings on the move.
• 20.5% use satnav or map apps while driving.
• 14% admit to driving while tired or drowsy.

These habits, often dismissed as minor distractions, can have catastrophic consequences. With reaction times reduced and attention diverted, the likelihood of collisions increases dramatically.

The consequences are clear and deeply concerning. 48% of respondents have been involved in a road traffic collision. Yet, shockingly, more than a third (36%) failed to report the incident to their insurer, and over half (55%) didn’t inform the police. This lack of reporting not only skews official statistics but also hampers efforts to improve safety and enforce accountability.

The findings are released to mark Road Safety Week (16–22 November), the UK’s annual campaign dedicated to making streets safer and protecting all road users.

Matthew Tomlinson, Head of Serious Injury North at Slater and Gordon, commented: “Dangerous driving isn’t rare, it’s happening daily in communities across the UK. Every day, our serious injury team sees the devastating impact of road traffic collisions, from life-changing injuries to families torn apart. Road Safety Week is a vital reminder that we all have a role to play in making our streets safer, whether through better infrastructure, stricter enforcement, or simply driving responsibly.”