Snow Way Through

10 of Britain’s most dangerous winter roads

The winter months are a notoriously risky times on the road. Here are some of the most dangerous listed in descending order by crashes between 2013-2015.

1.    A32.  38 fatal and serious crashes
From M27 J10 to Delme Roundabout; Quay St roundabout to the Gosport ferry terminal.

2.    A3055. 36 fatal and serious crashes
From junction with A3054 in Freshwater to junction with A3054 in Ryde.

3.    A259. 31 fatal and serious crashes
From junction with A2036 at Glyne Gap to just outside Ore.

4.    A588. 29 fatal and serious crashes
From Lancaster to junction with A585 outside Poulton-le-Fylde.

5.    A6. 26 fatal and serious crashes
From junction 54 with A589 in Lancaster to M6 junction 33.

6.    A4. 26 fatal and serious crashes
From junction with Huntercombe Spur to junction 5 of M4.

7.    A254. 15 fatal and serious crashes
From junction with A28 in Margate to junction with A255 near Ramsgate.

8.    A21. 15 fatal and serious crashes
From junction with A2100 to junction with A259 
at Hastings.

9.    A537. 12 fatal and serious crashes
From Macclesfield to Buxton.

10.    A18. 11 fatal and serious crashes
From junction with A46 near Laceby to junction with A16 near Ludborough

*Data from to the latest EuroRAP report from the Road Safety Foundation

Top tips to prepare for winter driving

To help you prepare for winter driving, here’s our top tips for a safer journey over the wintery months…

Prepare for the journey

Make sure you pack the essentials in case your journey takes a turn for the worse. As well as making sure you’ve packed de-icing equipment and a hazard warning triangle.

It may also be worth packing things like food and drink, extra warm clothes, shoes and blankets, a phone charger pack, a working torch and a first aid kit.

Adapt to the conditions

Most of us have very little experience of driving in extremely cold conditions, so take some time to consider how it affects your driving. If you find yourself driving in snow or on icy or snow-covered roads, reduce your speed to limit the risk of skidding. Remember, speed limits are the maximum in ideal conditions, not icy ones.  

Our latest poll found that the majority of drivers are failing to adapt their driving techniques in winter road conditions. Over nine million admit to not reducing their average speed on icy roads, while one in five are failing to increase the distance between themselves and the vehicle in front – two big faux pas when driving in severe winter conditions!

Check your breakdown cover

In the face of adverse weather conditions, it’s worth reviewing your car insurance policy to make sure you know and understand your level of protection you’re covered for. Check that you also have adequate breakdown cover, providing peace of mind you won’t end up stranded in the cold.