Skip advert
Advertisement

More British traffic collisions are caused by right turns than any other manoeuvre, data shows

Slowing and stopping, or being held up while waiting to go are second and third riskiest

Car crash

Analysis of Department for Transport data from traffic collisions between 2012 and 2021 reveals 186,009 were recorded as being caused while car drivers were turning right, making it the most statistically dangerous manoeuvre on Britain’s roads.

The next most dangerous manoeuvre is stopping or slowing down, which was recorded as the cause of 130,709 accidents in the period, while third riskiest is being held up while waiting to pull away, which accounted for 112,755 recorded incidents.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The data for both light goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles shows they also face the biggest accident risks when turning right or slowing down, but being held up isn’t such a risk factor – instead the third riskiest scenario for collisions occurs in this group when vehicles are parked.

Motorcycle riders face a different set of dangers. The statistics highlight that overtaking another moving vehicle on its offside is the manoeuvre implicated in the most accidents, with 14,324 such incidents recorded between 2012 and 2021. Motorbikes were involved in 10,003 collisions while slowing or stopping, but the next most dangerous manoeuvre for bikers is when riding around a left-hand bend, where 8,992 collisions took place.

For pedal cyclists, turning right once again tops the accident charts with 10,070 collisions recorded, while 4,911 collisions were recorded while moving off, and 4,643 while cycling around a right-hand bend.

Forbes Advisor, which has been crunching the DfT numbers, has also looked at the types of vehicles involved in various types of collisions. It says the numbers show HGVs are five or six times more likely than average to have accidents while changing lanes to the left or right, while motorcycles have between three and four times the average number of accidents while overtaking.

Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025