A new study has identified the UK’s most hazardous and safest driving postcodes, with Plymouth’s PL3 topping the list as the most dangerous area for drivers. The research, conducted by accident compensation specialists Claims.co.uk, analysed data from GOV.UK on the percentage of drivers with points on their licences across various postcodes in Great Britain as of May 2024.
The PL3 postcode in Plymouth emerges as the most perilous, with 13.09% of drivers holding points on their licences. This figure is a staggering 89% above the national average of 6.94%. In this postcode, 2,657 out of 20,291 licensed drivers have points, reflecting a serious issue with reckless driving.
Following Plymouth, Leeds’ LS9 postcode ranks second, with 12.74% of drivers having points. The study found that 2,049 out of 16,080 drivers in this area are affected, marking an 84% increase over the national average.
Bradford’s BD3 postcode is third, with 12.56% of drivers having points on their licences. This equates to 1,775 out of 14,135 drivers, which is 81% higher than the national benchmark.
Scotland’s PA36, covering Bridge of Orchy, comes fourth, with 12.5% of its 40 licensed drivers having points on their licences. This figure is 80% above the national average.
Leeds’ LS14 postcode is in fifth place, with 12.48% of drivers having points. Out of 20,720 drivers, 2,585 have incurred points, a 79% increase over the national average.
Other areas making the top ten include Plymouth’s PL4, Wakefield’s WF13, Leeds’ LS12, Bradford’s BD8, and Halifax’s HX1. Each of these postcodes shows a significant proportion of drivers with points, underscoring widespread issues with traffic law compliance.
Table 1: Dangerous driving hotspots in Great Britain
| Rank | Postcode | Location | Drivers with points as a percentage of all licensed drivers (May 2024) |
| 1 | PL3 | Plymouth, England | 13.09% |
| 2 | LS9 | Leeds, England | 12.74% |
| 3 | BD3 | Bradford, England | 12.56% |
| 4 | PA36 | Bridge of Orchy, Scotland | 12.5% |
| 5 | LS14 | Leeds, England | 12.48% |
| 6 | PL4 | Plymouth, England | 12.29% |
| 7 | WF13 | Wakefield, England | 12.24% |
| 8 | LS12 | Leeds, England | 12.11% |
| 9 | BD8 | Bradford, England | 12.10% |
| 10 | HX1 | Halifax, England | 11.97% |
Conversely, the study also highlights the safest driving postcodes in Britain. Guildford’s GU13 is noted as the safest, with only 0.71% of drivers having points, a remarkable 90% below the national average. The Isle of Islay’s PA44 follows, with 0.9% of drivers having points.
Watford’s WD2 is third on the safety list, with 0.93% of drivers having points, while Aberdeen’s AB1 and Newport’s NP9 also rank highly for responsible driving.
Claims.co.uk spokesperson commented on the findings: “Reckless driving endangers lives. With 133,443 casualties reported due to road collisions in the year ending June 2023, it’s crucial for drivers to adhere to safety guidelines, including maintaining insurance and respecting speed limits.”
The spokesperson further noted: “This campaign has spotlighted the most dangerous and safest driving postcodes in Great Britain. While Plymouth’s PL3 stands out as the most hazardous, it’s noteworthy that unsafe driving is prevalent in both large cities and smaller towns. Drivers across the country must remain vigilant to ensure road safety.”
This comprehensive study underscores the need for heightened road safety measures and increased awareness among drivers, irrespective of their location.
For more information, visit https://www.claims.co.uk/personal-injury-claims.