UK’s phone-related driving accident hotspots revealed: Brent ranks as one of the most dangerous areas

In England, the Isles of Scilly, and in Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, East Dunbartonshire, and Midlothian reported no incidents involving casualties due to mobile phone use while driving over the last decade.

Although these areas experience some driving-related casualties each year, the numbers are significantly lower than in other districts. Notably, the Isles of Scilly has the lowest rate, averaging just one casualty per year.

Other local authority districts with low casualties due to mobile phone use while driving, based on annual figures per billion vehicle miles, include Renfrewshire (0.11), East Lothian (0.17), and Wirral (0.19). 

Local authority districts with the least mobile phone-related road casualties 

The study also analysed data on the average number of collisions caused by drivers using mobile phones across local authority districts.  

Hackney records an average of 588 collisions annually, with around 3.5 linked to mobile phone use. This results in an average rate of 11.51 collisions per billion vehicle miles, making Hackney the worst area for phone-related crashes. 

Westminster averages 1,093 collisions per year, based on data from the past ten years. Of these, approximately 5.6 are attributed to mobile phone use, resulting in an average of 10.38 collisions per billion vehicle miles.

Camden is the third local authority district with the most road collisions caused by mobile phones. While Haringey ranks third for casualties, Camden and Islington rank higher for collisions. 

On average, there are 585 collisions in Camden each year, with approximately 3.3 of these caused by drivers using their phones. This results in an average of 10.26 collisions per billion vehicle miles due to mobile phone use. 

Islington averages 520 collisions per year, based on data from the past ten years. Of these, approximately 2.5 are attributed to mobile phone use, resulting in an average of 9.58 collisions per billion vehicle miles. 

Hammersmith and Fulham average 475 collisions per year, based on data from the past ten years. Of these, approximately 2.1 are attributed to mobile phone use, resulting in an average of 6.37 collisions per billion vehicle miles.

There are 651 collisions in Brent each year, with around 3.4 of these caused by drivers using their phones. This results in an average of 5.56 collisions per billion vehicle miles due to mobile phone use. 

Local authority districts with the most mobile phone-related collisions 

Midlothian, East Dunbartonshire, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Shetland Islands, and Isles of Scilly are among the best local authority districts regarding collision rates. No collisions were attributed to drivers using mobile phones while driving.  

Although these areas have collision records, data from the past decade shows that their average yearly collision rates remain the lowest. 

Researchers also analysed data on which road types are the most prone to collisions involving mobile phone use while driving. 

‘A roads’ top the list, with an average of 41,412 collisions per year. Of these, approximately 227.1 are caused by drivers using their phones, accounting for 0.54% of the total collisions. 

The second most dangerous type is ‘B roads’, with an average of 11,141 collisions annually. Of these, 56.2 are attributed to mobile phone use, representing 0.5% of the total collisions. 

Motorways rank as the third most dangerous, with 3,641 collisions per year. Of these, about 17.7 are caused by drivers using their phones, accounting for 0.48% of the total collisions. 

Collisions and mobile phone-related accidents by road type