Collision risk on roads close to Heathrow 240% above national average

Roads around major airports see vehicle collisions at double the national average rate, according to a new report from insurance analytics consultancy Angelica Solutions.

The report – which is compiled from department of transport collision data – revealed that those living in the vicinity of major airports experienced 3.4 yearly injury-causing collisions per 1,000 people, compared to the national average of 1.7 collisions per 1,000.

The rate worsened for those on the roads close to Heathrow airport, where crash risk was 240% higher than the country-wide average.

Manchester was found the be the safest major airport to access by car, seeing just 18% more collisions than the national road average.

The report also found that such incidents could end up costing at-fault drivers some £540 on average, made up of both excess payments and increased premiums at renewals.

Elevated risk

Sarah Vaughan, director at Angelica Solutions, said: “Motorists heading to these airports face an elevated risk of a collision, which goes beyond the usual challenges of driving. It’s imperative that both drivers and those responsible for vehicle traffic in the areas prioritise safety to prevent incidents and protect road users.

“Aside from the trauma, stress and inconvenience of being involved in a road collision, if you are found to be the ‘at-fault’ driver it’s likely to cost you around £540 in excess payments and increased premium at your next renewal.

“To accelerate the reduction in road casualties, it’s vital to engage all organisations that can impact road risk and equip them with the necessary tools and resources to contribute effectively. This can include straightforward actions, such as increasing awareness among hire car companies, taxi services and other airport transport providers, enabling them to enhance customer safety.”