M32 Near Gloucestershire Named One of England’s Most Dangerous Motorways

The M32 motorway, linking Bristol to the M4, has been identified as one of the most dangerous and congested motorways in England and Wales, according to a recent study by tyre specialists Blackcircles.

In 2024, the M32 recorded an alarming 2.2 collisions per kilometre, more than double the national average of 1 collision per kilometre on motorways across the region. This puts the M32 alongside the M25 and M602 as the roads with the highest collision rates per kilometre.

Frequent users of the M32 will recognize its notorious traffic jams. In fact, the motorway ranked among the slowest in the country with an average delay of 24.9 seconds per vehicle per mile. By comparison, the M1 between London and Leeds suffered only half that delay, averaging 12.6 seconds per vehicle per mile.

The comprehensive report analyzed factors such as average daily vehicle count, collisions per kilometre, average speed, and delay times. It crowned the M25—London’s orbital motorway—as the most dangerous motorway overall, with the M32 ranked second.

Despite its short length, the M32 experiences heavy traffic volumes, with approximately 75,000 vehicles daily packing onto a stretch ten times shorter than the national average motorway length. This congestion significantly contributes to both delays and collision rates.

On the safer end of the spectrum, the M45 motorway, covering Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, recorded the lowest collision rate with just 0.2 collisions per kilometre, attributed to its considerably lighter traffic volumes.

The report also sheds light on the root causes behind motorway accidents nationwide. The leading cause is ineffective observation by drivers, riders, or pedestrians. Close behind are dangerous or reckless driving and motorists traveling too fast for the conditions. Sudden braking and slippery road surfaces round out the top five causes of motorway collisions.