Accident hotspots are particular areas where road traffic accidents are more likely to happen due to a number of reasons that we will look into within this article.
We will look at why particular locations become accident hotspots, what drivers should be aware of and how to adjust their driving to avoid being involved in a road traffic accident.
Why does a particular location become an accident hotspot?
- Lane markings on roads fade; especially bike lanes and arrows
- Lack of adequate street lighting
- No controlled or zebra pedestrian crossings in areas with a high volume of pedestrians e.g. near schools, shopping centres or pubs and clubs
- Uncontrolled major roundabouts and unmarked crossroads
- Poor visibility due to the road layout or parked cars restricting a drivers view
What should drivers be aware of, and how should they adjust their driving?
- Be aware of pedestrians and cyclists, not just cars
- Pull out slowly onto a major roads and keep checking left and right
- Reduce the vehicles speed generally
- Don’t chance amber lights!
- Use headlights as soon as darkness affects visibility
- Don’t count on others to drive responsibly
- Be aware of speed limits and road signs
- Reduce your distance from the car in front to allow for more braking time
What measures could the Highways Agency take to improve such areas?
- Maintain road markings and signs if they become damaged or less visible to drivers
- Put up accident hotspot signs, make drivers more aware of potential hazards
- Build more controlled pedestrian crossings
- Create more bike lanes to make cycling safer
- Implement traffic calming measures in order to reduce road users speed
Further reading
For more information about road traffic accidents, visit our FAQ resource here.
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