New research shows where and when will be most dangerous for motorists this Bank Holiday weekend
Millions of Brits will take to the roads this Bank Holiday weekend
Most motorists reckon the roads are at their most treacherous during rush hour, when traffic is bumper-to-bumper and congestion is at its peak. But with millions of Britons set to hit the road this Bank Holiday weekend, fresh research suggests the greatest danger may lurk when the roads seem at their emptiest.
Fresh analysis by Confused.com appears to reveal the single most hazardous hour to drive in the UK, with motorists being urged to steer clear of this time slot where possible over the bank holiday weekend. Drawing on Department for Transport (DfT) traffic flow and collision data, Confused.com has developed an interactive Safety Index to work out the probability of being caught up in an accident relative to the volume of vehicles on the road.
Rhydian Jones, Confused.com car insurance expert, explains why the emptiest roads can often prove the most perilous, identifies the riskiest and safest times to drive in the UK, and offers guidance on how motorists can use Confused.com’s new Safety Index tool to plan safer journeys during the bank holiday exodus.
Whether you’re heading off for a long weekend away, popping to see relatives or making your way home after a day out, understanding when collision risk peaks could help you sidestep the most dangerous times to be behind the wheel.
Why Quiet Roads Can Be More Dangerous
It appears to defy logic. Fewer vehicles should surely mean fewer crashes. But experts suggest that emptier roads often encourage more reckless driving behaviour. Almost 1 in 3 motorists (29%) acknowledge they break speed limits at least from time to time, while more than 1 in 4 (27%) admit they’re more inclined to speed when traffic is lighter. Factor in poor visibility, driver fatigue and the heightened chance of encountering drink-drivers, and the hazard increases dramatically.
“Road safety relies on more than just how many cars are on the road. It depends on how conditions evolve through the day, and our analysis makes that pattern unmistakably clear. The late afternoon sees the highest number of collisions because the roads are busy. But when we look at the risk per vehicle, it’s the late-night and early-morning hours that are proportionately the most dangerous. That’s when visibility drops, fatigue sets in and roads are quiet enough that drivers may take more risks.
We know journeys become longer, traffic becomes heavier, and weather conditions get tougher. Our research shows many drivers already feel nervous, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas, and nearly a third admit to speeding when the roads look quiet. Our interactive ‘Safety Index’ tool can help drivers make informed decisions about when they travel, reducing risk and helping them stay safer behind the wheel.” Rhydian Jones, Confused.com car insurance expert.
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The Most Dangerous Hours to Drive
The analysis found that the hours with the highest collision risk relative to traffic volume are:
- Sunday: 3am to 4am
- Saturday: 2am to 3am
- Friday: 11pm to midnight
- Monday: 1am to 2am
- Tuesday to Thursday: midnight to 1am
These findings suggest that the greatest danger is not necessarily when roads are busiest, but when drivers are most tired and conditions are less forgiving.
The Safest Times to Drive
By contrast, the safest times to drive are generally in the early morning. Weekdays between 5am and 7am were found to carry the lowest risk, with Wednesday 5am to 6am ranking as the safest hour of the entire week.
On weekends, the safest time shifts slightly later, with 9am to 10am emerging as the lowest-risk period. Experts believe these times are safer because traffic tends to be more predictable and speeds are generally lower.
Over Half of Drivers Have Witnessed or Experienced a Crash
The study also found that road accidents are a common experience for UK motorists.
- 60% of drivers have either been involved in or witnessed a road accident.
- 33% say the incident happened in the afternoon.
- 39% say they have become more cautious and aware of other drivers afterwards.
- 19% say they felt more nervous behind the wheel.
The emotional impact of accidents can have a lasting effect on confidence and driving behaviour.
The Driving Situations That Make People Most Nervous
The research revealed that many drivers feel uneasy in certain conditions:
- 26% feel most nervous on inner-city roads.
- 32% worry about encountering drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs at night or on weekends.
- More than 1 in 3 (37%) actively avoid driving at night.
- 50% avoid driving in poor weather.
- 41% leave earlier to avoid feeling rushed.
The UK Areas with the Most Collisions
When looking at total collisions rather than risk per vehicle, the busiest crash period is 5pm to 6pm, coinciding with school pick-ups and the evening commute.
During this hour, the councils with the highest number of reported collisions were:
- Kent – 265
- Surrey – 215
- Essex – 205
Nationally, there were 100,927 injury collisions recorded by police and logged by the Department for Transport over the last year.
Why This Hour Is So Dangerous
Several factors combine to make this the most hazardous hour of the week:
- Drivers may be returning home after late nights out.
- Fatigue is at its peak.
- Reduced traffic can encourage speeding.
- Visibility is poor.
- There is a greater risk of drink-driving.
The result is a period where even a small mistake can have serious consequences.
In a bid to help motorists gain a clearer picture of road risks, Confused.com has unveiled an interactive Safety Index tool that highlights the safest and most dangerous times to drive on each day of the week.
By cross-referencing traffic volumes with collision statistics, the tool enables drivers to pinpoint lower-risk windows and make better-informed choices about when to set off.
For anyone considering a bank holiday road trip or a late-night drive home, the message couldn’t be more straightforward: quiet roads don’t necessarily mean safer roads.
