Motorists perform risky manoeuvres and divert to dangerous rural roads to avoid motorway traffic jams

More than half of motorists are diverting from motorways to potentially less safe rural roads to avoid traffic jams and congestion, according to new research [i].

IAM RoadSmart, Britain’s leading road safety charity, found that over the last twelve months, 51% of drivers have diverted from a congested motorway and headed for a country lane instead. 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.[ii] Many country roads are narrow, with limited safe places to overtake, and are characterised by a poor road surface and blind bends.

The research also shows that drivers engaged in hazardous manoeuvres to avoid congestion. Nearly one 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 ten (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.

With more than three quarters (83%) reporting that they have had more than 30 minutes added to their journey because of a traffic jam over the past year, it is small wonder that motorists are finding other routes and diverting onto rural roads to save time. However, by doing so they may be putting themselves and others at a greater risk of a collision.
Frustrating driving habits are also totting up the time spent on the road, with 80% reporting that they had been delayed momentarily waiting for a driver that had failed to indicate at a junction or roundabout.

Traffic jams and delays are manifesting in impatience, with more than a third (31%) beeping their horn to get the driver in front to hurry up. This has the potential to lead to those drivers on the receiving end making risky or unwise decisions when pulling out of a junction. Despite many falling under the national speed limit of 60 mph in the UK, traffic often includes people travelling at a variety of speeds, including cyclists and farm vehicles, as well as pedestrians. According to the survey by IAM RoadSmart, 64% supported lowering the speed limit on a rural single carriageway to 50 mph.

IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes said: “It is extremely concerning but somewhat understandable that more than half of motorists are diverting onto country lanes to avoid traffic jams. Many people lead busy lives, and it’s not surprising that they are trying to save time by picking another route. 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 road 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, the government should be prepared to expand capacity on congested parts of the strategic road network. With the festive season just around the corner, and roads likely to be busy as people head home for Christmas, people should be mindful of congestion and poor weather conditions and plan ahead to avoid travelling 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.”

IAM RoadSmart delivers training courses for drivers and motorcyclists. To improve your confidence on rural roads, consider taking the Driving Skills Refresher, a two hour session with an Approved Driving Instructor.

Notes to Editor

For interviews, contact the IAM RoadSmart press office on press.office@iam.org.uk / 020 8996 9777

IAM RoadSmart is the UK’s largest road safety charity providing advanced driving and motorcyclist training. It has a vision of a society where all road users can safely and sustainably use the public highways together. IAM RoadSmart was formed in March 1956 and has around 75,000 members that supports its campaigns on road safety. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses.

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[i] IAM RoadSmart Safety Culture Report 2024 data table: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sbkveav4i3ds5wqemwjdh/9240040-01-IAM-Safety-Culture-Data-tables-17-09-2024-Tables.xlsx?rlkey=g9wgai5zw1jsdgfdg49cpmog8&st=t3bplsds&dl=0

[ii] Department for Transport: RAS0302: Urban and rural roads - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/reported-road-accidents-vehicles-and-casualties-tables-for-great-britain#road-type-ras03