Remember, remember 5 December. Guy Fawkes night was a month ago, but there may be good reason to stick to the mantra if driving, as today is the most dangerous day of the year on the roads, according to Co-op claims data

5 December marks the most dangerous day of the year to drive on UK roads, according to Co-op Insurance’s claims data, which spans from 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2017.

Icy roads and dark conditions make travelling in the winter riskier for drivers. Co-op head of motor insurance, Nick Ansley suggests that Christmas shopping also leads to busier roads and more accidents. In November, Ansley issued a warning for those driving on Black Friday, when there are also high levels of traffic.

To try to prevent accidents, Ansley is warning drivers to “take extra precautions by allowing extra time for your journey and checking car lights and tires before setting off on journeys. This is especially important at a time when there is an increased risk on the roads.”

Crash data

The Midlands, East Anglia and the North East are the biggest hotspots for accidents on 5 December, with two fifths (44%) of all claims arising from the three areas.

The average age of a driver involved in a collision is 53.

Men are slightly more likely to be in a crash today than women. On this day, men have been involved in over half (57%) of crashes, compared to women, who have been involved in two fifths (43%) of them.