Drivers using country lanes to escape from congested motorways have been warned of the dangers to themselves and other road users.
More than half (51%) of motorists have diverted from motorways to potentially less safe rural roads to avoid traffic jams and congestion in the last year, according to research by IAM RoadSmart.
But statistically, rural roads are the most dangerous roads in Britain, with nearly 1,000 deaths occurring on them annually, according to the Department for Transport. This compares to 84 killed on motorways and 273 fatalities on urban roads in 2023. Many country roads are narrow, with limited safe places to overtake, and characterised by a poor road surface and blind bends.
The research also shows that drivers have engaged in hazardous actions to avoid congestion. Nearly a third (27%) of the 2,000 people polled for the 2024 IAM RoadSmart Road Safety Report admitted to performing dangerous manoeuvres such as U-turns in the middle of a road to beat the jams, while one in 10 (11%) confessed to running a red light to save time. A small minority (8%) held their hands up to proceeding beyond a traffic light changing to red only to end up blocking an intersection.
While more than three-quarters (83%) reported that they have had over 30 minutes added to their journey because of a traffic jam over the past year, taking action to save time could put drivers and other road users at a greater risk of a collision.
Drivers also reported delays from other motorists, with 80% reporting that they had been delayed momentarily waiting for a driver that had failed to indicate at a junction or roundabout.
More than a third (31%) said they had beeped their horn to get the driver in front to hurry up – but this has the potential to lead to those drivers on the receiving end making risky or unwise decisions when pulling out of a junction.
Drivers have also been warned that while many rural roads fall under the national speed limit of 60mph in the UK, traffic often includes people travelling at slower speeds, including cyclists and farm vehicles, as well as pedestrians.
According to the survey by IAM RoadSmart, 64% of participants supported lowering the speed limit on a rural single carriageway to 50mph.
IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards Nicholas Lyes said: “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. Also, while focus is rightly put on improving existing roads rather than building new ones, government should be prepared to expand capacity on congested parts of the strategic road network.”
With the festive season just around the corner, IAM RoadSmart has also warned drivers to be mindful of congestion and poor weather conditions, and plan ahead to avoid driving in peak times.
“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,” Lyes added.
