Drivers issued safety warning as study finds more than half are turning to rural roads to dodge motorway jams

  • Motorists putting themselves at greater risk due to high casualty stats for rural roads

By ROB HULL, MOTORING EDITOR

Updated:

More than half of drivers are diverting away from motorways to rural roads to avoid congestion - a move that increases their risk of being involved in a crash, says road safety experts.

A poll of 2,000 UK motorists commissioned by charity IAM RoadSmart suggested 51 per cent are avoiding roadwork-littered motorways and opting to use B roads to avoid tailbacks.

This has sparked an increase in use of rural routes, many of which have the national speed limit - which for cars is 60mph on a single carriageway - that give motorists a 'false sense of security'.

This is because B roads generally offer poorer visibility due to high hedges and trees, plenty of blind corners, little in terms of street lighting, narrow lanes and a far greater volume of dangerous potholes as a result of limited council repair budgets.

As such, official Department for Transport figures show rural roads are the most dangerous in Britain, with nearly 1,000 deaths occurring on them annually, compared with 84 on motorways and 273 on urban roads in 2023.

Separate statistics show the average delay compared with free-flow conditions on England's motorways and major A roads in the year to the end of September was 11.4 seconds per vehicle per mile, a 10.7 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards, said it is 'extremely concerning but somewhat understandable' that many drivers are diverting on to country lanes to avoid traffic.

More than half of drivers are diverting away from motorways to rural roads to avoid congestion - a move that increases their risk of being involved in a crash, according to road safety experts

More than half of drivers are diverting away from motorways to rural roads to avoid congestion - a move that increases their risk of being involved in a crash, according to road safety experts

Other factors that make rural roads more risky than motorways include the greater likelihood of encountering much slower moving vehicles, especially tractors and cyclists, using these routes. 

A lack of crash barriers and signage can also be an issue compared to the nation's M-roads and they're far more likely to be adversely impacted by severe weather conditions, including floods and fallen trees in heavy winds.

Lyes added: 'Many people lead busy lives and it's not surprising that they are trying to save time by picking another route.

'Rural roads are often winding, full of blind spots and lacking in pavements.

'National speed limits can also lull drivers into a false sense of security that these are appropriate limits; in many cases they are not.

'We would encourage roads authorities to review and where appropriate reduce speed limits on certain sections of these roads.

'Travelling at a safe speed and anticipating other types of road users - particularly tractors, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians - is essential.

'While the statistics show an increased risk on these roads, proper training and awareness can mitigate this.'

Many rural roads have the national speed limit, which give motorists a 'false sense of security'. This is because they generally offer poorer visibility due to high hedges and trees, plenty of blind corners, little in terms of street lighting, narrow lanes and below-par road conditions as a result of limited council repair budgets

Many rural roads have the national speed limit, which give motorists a 'false sense of security'. This is because they generally offer poorer visibility due to high hedges and trees, plenty of blind corners, little in terms of street lighting, narrow lanes and below-par road conditions as a result of limited council repair budgets

A lack of crash barriers and signage can also be an issue with rural roads when compared to the nation's M-roads. They also likely to be impacted by adverse weather conditions

A lack of crash barriers and signage can also be an issue with rural roads when compared to the nation's M-roads. They also likely to be impacted by adverse weather conditions

The survey identified other potentially hazardous actions drivers are taking to avoid traffic jams, including U-turns in the middle of a road (27 per cent) and passing through a red light (11 per cent).

'With the festive season just around the corner, and roads likely to be busy as people head home for Christmas, people should be mindful of congestion and poor weather conditions, and plan ahead to avoid travelling in peak times,' Lyes explained.

'Travelling at a safe speed and anticipating other types of road users – particularly tractors, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians is essential. 

'While the statistics show an increased risk on these roads, proper training and awareness can mitigate this.'

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