24 cars crash into stationary vehicles on hard shoulder each week

Between three and four cars crash into stationary vehicles on the hard shoulder of the UK’s major roads each day, according to new figures.

It means that there are 24 cases of vehicles colliding into stationary cars on the hard shoulder each and every week.

Between 2015 and 2017, there were around 750,000 traffic incidents registered on the UK’s roads, equating to around 684 per day during the period, according to Green Flag, the breakdown rescue provider behind the research.

Close to 9,000 of these accidents involved a moving car colliding with a stationary vehicle, with 42 per cent of these taking place on the hard shoulder of a motorway or A road. Of these accidents, 19 per cent resulted in death and or serious injuries for those involved.

Damon Jowett, head of service delivery at Green Flag, said: “It’s important for people to be aware of the danger of driving on motorways, which are a hotspot for traffic incidents and resulting fatalities.

“Many accidents can be prevented. If there is a vehicle stopped on the hard shoulder, drivers need to slow down and move their vehicle over to the next lane if safe to do so.

“This simple manoeuvre not only helps protect the drivers and passengers in the stationary vehicle, but it also safeguards our roadside workers as they assist them.”

London is a hot spot for this type of incident, with 41 per cent of accidents taking place in the capital. It’s followed up by other high-risk areas such as the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford.