Half of drivers divert from motorways to avoid traffic

17 February 2025

British road safety charity IAM RoadSmart recently revealed findings of its 2024 Road Safety Report that more than half (51 per cent) of motorists divert from motorways onto rural roads to avoid traffic and congestion.

The research also found that 83 per cent of motorists had more than 30 minutes added to their journey because of a traffic jam over the past year.

Country roads are statistically the most dangerous, with almost 1,000 deaths taking place on them annually. This figure compares with 84 deaths on motorways and 273 on urban roads in 2023.  

The poll of 2,000 motorists revealed that drivers performed dangerous manoeuvres to avoid congestion:

• 27 per cent admitted to making a U-turn in the middle of the road
• 11 per cent admitted to running a red light
• 8 per cent admitted to passing a red light and blocking an intersection.

IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes said: “It is extremely concerning but somewhat understandable that more than half of motorists are diverting onto country lanes to avoid traffic jams. Many people lead busy lives, and it’s not surprising that they are trying to save time by picking another route. Rural roads are often winding, full of blind spots, and lacking in pavements. National speed limits can also lull drivers into a false sense of security that these are appropriate limits; in many cases, they are not.

“We would encourage road authorities to review and where appropriate reduce speed limits on certain sections of these roads. Also, while focus is rightly put on improving existing roads rather than building new ones, the government should be prepared to expand capacity on congested parts of the strategic road network.”

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