Thousands of motorists are using “Britain’s deadliest road” every day with experts warning road users to stay alert while behind the wheel.
The A1 is one of the most important road routes in the country connecting 17 counties and some of the UK’s biggest cities.
The north-south road connects London to Edinburgh passing near popular destinations such as Peterborough, Doncaster, Leeds and York.
Around 145 miles of the 397-mile route are designated as motorways with four separate sections along the route.
On average, it is believed that approximately 40,000 vehicles use the A1 each day with the stretch being a vital road for motorists and freight.
Department for Transport data reveals there were 500 crashes on the A1 in 2022, 26% more than the A5 and 16% more than the A2.
In the last five years alone there have been 201 closures, the majority of these being down to accidents.
However, experts at JMW Solicitors claim that a non-motorway stretch of the A1 near Rutland is most concerning.
They explained: “Along its stretch, it passes through Rutland in the East Midlands, which is home to around 38,000 residents. Shockingly, the number of fatalities on the road in this region is equal to around five deaths per 10,000 people.
“With a high percentage of lorry traffic and high levels of congestion, this road is at an increased risk of accidents. If you’re planning a journey that features this stretch of road, it might be worth finding an alternate route with lower potential risks and less congestion.”
Alicia Kearns, Conservative MP for Rutland and Stamford, previously addressed safety concerns on the road in Parliament.
She admitted there was a “worrying proliferation in road accidents” along the region’s route with many leading to fatalities.
Alicia added: “Each accident normally results in a closure of up to 10 hours, with HGVs being diverted through our very small and picturesque villages.”
JMW Solicitors added routes such as the A592 at Kirkstone Pass, the A496 at Snowdonia and the A537 Cat and Fiddle Road were also among the most dangerous.
However, London’s M25 motorway is often considered one of the deadliest motorways with road users urged to keep their focus while behind the wheel.
JMW Solicitors said: “The A1(M) holds the unwanted title of being Britain’s deadliest road, while the M25’s extensive accident history underlines the risks of high-speed travel around the capital. If you must travel these routes, stay aware of other drivers and maintain extra concentration.”
