Majority of car crashes happen in GOOD weather

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Wed, 22 May 2024

Bad weather is not the biggest cause of accidents, with more than 3 in 4 car incidents happening when the weather is clear, surprising new research reveals.

According to in-depth analysis of more than 72,000 incidents, 76% of accidents happened "under clear blue skies rather than rainy clouds and icy roads".

The figures are from fleet management company ALD Automotive LeasePlan UK’s nationwide database.

It found 76% of vehicle accidents occur when the weather is clear, while just 6% happen in rainy conditions. Even fewer accidents happened when it was foggy, icy or snowy.

Why the disparity? Simply because, reckons ALD Automotive, motorists cover so many more miles in the summer than at any other time in the year. Summer motoring mileage is up to 20% higher, as drivers head on holiday and to other events.

Often it is the frustration caused by driving on congested roads that can lead to accidents. Human error is a factor in 95% of incidents and many accidents are a result of drivers being in a hurry and driving recklessly.

Motorists can also be lulled into a false sense of security, says ALD Automotive commercial director Chris Black. "In poor weather conditions, drivers are far more mindful of potential hazards and adjust their driving accordingly. When the sun is shining, drivers seem to underestimate risks and potentially become complacent."

Black said motorists should not sit back and rely on the advanced safety features fitted to many modern cars, either. "Drivers must still anticipate potential dangers and know how to react appropriately in various traffic scenarios."

His age-old tips, often forgotten in the summer heat, include maintaining a safe following distance, being aware of other motorists’ actions and avoiding aggressive driving behaviours.

He also reminded motorists to top up all their fluids, including the windscreen washer bottle, as a dirty windscreen can significantly obstruct your vison, particularly when sunlight hits. Keep a pair of sunglasses handy too...

Ask HJ

Should I switch to all-weather tyres for better wet grip?

I have just purchased a 2022 Toyota Yaris Cross Premier AWD with 18in wheels. I live in Cumbria and although frost and snow do not seem too much of a problem recent years rain certainly is. I am just about to replace the tyres and wonder if it is worth the extra expence of all weather tyres such as Michelin Cross Climate or will I be ok with summer tyres as mine is an AWD model or is the 4x4 function not very good as it is not a proper 4x4?

Choosing a tyre to suit your car and the weather conditions can be a compromise, unless you are in the position to have a second set of wheels and tyres for the winter months. If you need a tyre for year-round use then an all-season tyre will offer additional traction and grip in wet weather, as well as better performance than a summer tyre on snow and ice. The downside is likely to be a slight increase in fuel consumption, tyre noise and less dry-weather performance than a summer tyre. An alternative could be to look for a summer tyre that has a high level of wet performance, such as the Bridgestone Turanza T001 or Pirelli Powergy. You can find a selection of tyres suitable for your needs on blackcircles.com

Answered by David Ross

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