Traffic Reading

In 2017, an estimated 24,200 road traffic collisions occurred in Thames Valley, of which Reading is one borough. This represents a drop from 2016, where 32, 404 road traffic collisions were reported..From these figures, around 15% of them (3,606 collisions) occurred in Reading.

Of the collisions reported across Thames Valley in 2017, 651 of them were fatal or serious. Approximately 5 percent (97) of these occurred in Reading.

In 2017, the number of reported fatalities and serious injuries in Reading was 25. This figure dropped from 2016, which reported 39 fatalities and serious injuries.

The UK Department for Transport reported that the most common cause of reported accidents in Reading during 2017 was “driver inattention” at 34%, followed by “emergency manoeuvre” at 17%, and then “driver Impairment” at 12%.

In 2018, the government released the National Travel Survey 2018 which showed that the majority of travel journeys in Reading (78%) were made by car or van. This percentage was higher than the average across the UK (75%) which suggests that Reading citizens rely heavily on private vehicles for their transportation.

Overall, the roads around Reading are relatively safe. The decrease in road accident figures since 2016 clearly shows that the enforcement of road traffic laws and increase in public awareness of road safety measures is having a positive effect on traffic safety.

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Please remember that it is against the law to use your mobile phone, tablet or any electronic device without a hands-free kit whilst driving. If you're caught by the police using any device that can send or receive data whilst driving or riding a motorcyle you'll get an automatic fixed penalty notice, 6 points on your licence and a fine of £200. A court could also disqualify you from driving.