Driving in cities can be a challenging experience, with busy roads, complex intersections, and a constant stream of vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians to keep an eye out for. Whilst this can make drivers feel stressed or frustrated, there is a more pressing concern: safety.
Whilst the majority of UK drivers feel safe when driving in cities, almost a third of them do not (29%). The safety of city roads also impacts the confidence of drivers - only 36% of people feel very confident behind the wheel in city settings.
To help understand just how safe - or dangerous - it is to drive in UK cities, we conducted a study of road safety across Britain. We analysed government and police force data on road casualties, dangerous driving incidents, and speeding offences across major urban areas, to find out which cities lead the way in road safety, and which need improvement. With urban accidents potentially impacting driver confidence, safety and the value of your car, understanding these risks is crucial for motorists.
Our research has uncovered some interesting results.
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How did we assess the safety of cities?
To find the safest cities in the UK, we created an index of government and police force data relating to road safety. We analysed the following metrics:
- Collisions and casualties
- Unlawful driving incidences
- Speeding violations
We ranked the cities based on the prevalence of each metric and gave each city a score out of 100. The higher the score, the safer the city is for road users.
We gathered additional insights on road safety and driver opinions through a survey of 1,600 drivers.
Key findings
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Dundee is the safest city to drive in, with a score of 92.7 out of 100
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Leeds is the least safe city to drive in, scoring 4.6 out of 100
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The main factor that makes people feel unsafe on the roads is reckless driving by others
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Almost two thirds of drivers believe improved road maintenance and signage would make roads feel safer
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13% of people have had an accident in a city
Which cities are the safest to drive in?
When it comes to driving safely, not all UK cities are created equal. Here's what our data uncovered about the safest places to drive.
According to our analysis, Dundee ranks as the overall safest city for driving in the UK, with a score of 92.7 out of 100. Dundee had one of the lowest numbers of speeding offences of all the cities analysed, with only approximately 200 recorded in the first 10 months of 2024, and only around 120 in all of 2023.
The Scottish city was followed by Ipswich (88.6) and Colchester (79.0) in second and third place. The safest cities are scattered across the country, with three locations in Scotland, as well as Hastings all the way on the south coast of England.

When driving in these cities, you might feel more comfortable in the driver’s seat, or even as a passenger. However, it’s always best to remain attentive to respond quickly on the roads, as unexpected hazards can always arise.
Which cities are the least safe for drivers?
Of course, our data highlighted areas where road safety remains a significant challenge, and where drivers may need to be more wary on the roads. Looking at the same metrics of casualties, dangerous driving incidents, and speeding offences, several cities emerge as places that need to be navigated with extra caution.
The city that performed the worst in our study was Leeds, scoring only 4.6 out of a possible 100. This West Yorkshire city had the second-highest number of speeding offences of all the cities analysed, after London, as well as the third-highest rate of unlawful driving crimes per 1,000 residents.
Among the other low-scorers are Bradford (9.6), Bristol (18.3) and Hereford (18.3). Interestingly, all of the bottom 10 cities are located in England.

London, despite its high traffic volumes and congested roads, does not make it into the top 10 least safe cities for drivers. It’s not far off, though, coming in at number 14.
What makes road users feel unsafe?
Two thirds of drivers avoid driving in a major city at least occasionally due to safety concerns. This can add inconvenience and time to people’s journeys, all in the name of feeling safe when driving.
Several factors contribute to drivers feeling uncertain in cities. The most common reasons include reckless driving by others and confusing road layouts.
Poor road conditions also contribute to feeling unsafe, according to more than half of respondents. Road defects like potholes can cause significant damage and danger to vehicles, and are the leading cause of car breakdowns, according to the RAC. Unsurprisingly, this can make car users feel nervous.

What can be done to make city roads feel safer?
Some of the changes that can be made to make driving safer are controlled by drivers themselves. Driving slowly and avoiding distractions makes the road safer for everyone. It’s also important to make sure all necessary maintenance and car services have been performed on your car.
Beyond drivers, there are external measures that cities and councils could take to make the roads a safer place. According to respondents, several factors would help them feel safer when on the roads in cities.
The majority of drivers say that improved road maintenance and better signage would make them feel safer when driving in cities. More than six in 10 drivers agree.
A third also believe that increasing technology use to manage traffic would help with safety, for example, implementing smart traffic lights.
Less than 20% of people think that reducing city centre speed limits will help with feelings of safety.

Our research shows how driving in certain cities can present challenges that can be addressed both by drivers and city authorities. Creating safer urban roads is a shared responsibility that requires actions on both sides, and highlighting the need for change is a good place to start.
Methodology
To find the safest cities in the UK, we created an index of government and police force data. We used a combination of data available via the ONS and GOV.UK, as well as police data, gathered through a freedom of information request sent in November 2024. We analysed the following metrics:
- Road traffic collisions and casualties
- Unlawful driving incidences
- Speeding offences (exceeding speed limit while driving
In total, 73 cities were analysed. We ranked the cities based on the prevalence of each metric and gave each city a score out of 100. The higher the score, the safer the city is for road users.
We gathered additional insights on road safety and driver opinions through a survey of 1,600 drivers.