The time and day you’re most likely to crash your car revealed – and when is safest to drive
Britain's riskiest hour on the road has been uncovered - and you're twice as likely to crash during it than the rest of the day
THE rush hour on a Wednesday evening is the worst time to drive in Britain, new research has revealed.
Analysis of 700,000 crashes in Britain over the last five years by found between 5pm and 6pm on Wednesday nights Brits average 42 accidents.
That's more than twice the average for any other other one hour period during the day.
The evening rush hour is the worst time no matter what day, too, accounting for nearly one in 10 of all crashes on British roads.
Across the whole 24 hour period, Direct Line found drivers get that Friday feeling with 453 accidents a day on average - well up on the daily average of 397.
And the theory of "Sunday drivers" causing shunts up and down the country is a myth, with the weekend the safest time to travel.
Saturday logged just 363 accidents with Sunday down on just 300 a day on average.
In fact, the 30 days of the year with the least recorded accidents all fall on a Sunday.
Which day are you most likely to have an accident on British roads?
Monday: 397 accidents
Tuesday: 420 accidents
Wednesday: 419 accidents
Thursday: 424 accidents
Friday: 453 accidents
Saturday: 363 accidents
Sunday: 300 accidents
The data also revealed nearly three-quarters of all accidents occur between 6am and 6pm - but it can actually be more dangerous to drive overnight.
That's because 18 per cent of accidents between 6pm and 6am were either fatal or severe, compared to 14 per cent during the day.
On a more positive note, the number of accidents since 2011 has actually fallen by 7.5 per cent - the equivalent of 31 fewer accidents a day.
Gus Park, managing director of motor at Direct Line said: "The odds of being involved in a crash are directly affected by the volume of cars on the road, which is why we see a spike in accidents recorded on weekdays between 5pm and 6pm.
The best and worst time of day to travel
Midnight to 3am: 3% of accidents
3am to 6am: 2% of accidents
6am to 9am: 14% of accidents
9am to midday: 15% of accidents
Midday to 3pm: 18% of accidents
3pm to 6pm: 25% of accidents
6pm to 9pm: 16% of accidents
9pm to midnight: 8% of accidents
"This is prime rush hour time, when drivers are either travelling home from work or doing the school run.
"Towards the end of the week we are often tired, rushing to get home or away for the weekend, and this can lead to people not paying as much attention to the road conditions and their surroundings.
