Millions of Brits are expected to take to the roads this Bank Holiday weekend, but new research suggests the greatest danger may lurk when the roads seem emptiest. Confused.com has analysed Department for Transport data to identify the most hazardous hours for driving, urging motorists to avoid these times where possible.
Why Quiet Roads Can Be More Dangerous
Fewer vehicles might seem safer, but emptier roads often encourage reckless driving. Almost 1 in 3 motorists admit to breaking speed limits, and over 1 in 4 speed more when traffic is light. Poor visibility, driver fatigue, and drink-driving further increase risks. Rhydian Jones, Confused.com car insurance expert, explains: 'Road safety depends on how conditions evolve through the day. The late afternoon sees the most collisions due to traffic volume, but per vehicle, late-night and early-morning hours are proportionately the most dangerous.'
The Most Dangerous Hours to Drive
The analysis found the highest collision risk relative to traffic volume occurs at:
- Sunday: 3am to 4am
- Saturday: 2am to 3am
- Friday: 11pm to midnight
- Monday: 1am to 2am
- Tuesday to Thursday: midnight to 1am
These hours see drivers fatigued and conditions less forgiving, making even small mistakes potentially serious.
The Safest Times to Drive
Conversely, the safest times are early mornings. Weekdays between 5am and 7am carry the lowest risk, with Wednesday 5am to 6am being the safest hour. On weekends, 9am to 10am is the lowest-risk period, as traffic is more predictable and speeds lower.
Over Half of Drivers Have Witnessed or Experienced a Crash
The study also found that 60% of drivers have been involved in or witnessed a road accident. Of these, 33% occurred in the afternoon, 39% made drivers more cautious, and 19% felt more nervous behind the wheel.
Driving Situations That Make People Most Nervous
Many drivers feel uneasy in certain conditions: 26% on inner-city roads, 32% worry about drink or drug drivers at night, 37% avoid night driving, 50% avoid poor weather, and 41% leave earlier to avoid rushing.
The UK Areas with the Most Collisions
The busiest crash period overall is 5pm to 6pm, coinciding with school pick-ups and commutes. Councils with the highest collisions during this hour are Kent (265), Surrey (215), and Essex (205). Nationally, there were 100,927 injury collisions recorded over the last year.
Why This Hour Is So Dangerous
Several factors combine: drivers returning home after late nights, peak fatigue, reduced traffic encouraging speeding, poor visibility, and greater drink-driving risk. Confused.com has launched an interactive Safety Index tool to help motorists identify lower-risk windows and plan safer journeys. For anyone travelling this Bank Holiday, the message is clear: quiet roads don't always mean safer roads.
