Tiny Rutland is UK’s most deadly county for drivers

Orkney Islands in Scotland (4.11). Rutland’s place at the top of the table was influenced by being one of the country’s most sparsely populated counties, while it recorded 20 fatal traffic accidents during the five-year period. It’s only major highway is the A1. Other notable counties identified by the data include Aberdeenshire, which recorded 92 deaths, 3.509 per 10,000 residents, Cumbria, with 131 fatalities (2.631) and Lincolnshire with 251 (2.339).

Elsewhere, there were 73 fatal traffic accidents in Northumberland (2.310), 127 in Warwickshire (2.281) and 41 in Carmarthenshire (2.209). The total number of fatal traffic accidents per 10,000 residents across the UK was 1.302.

Internet technology company Teletrac Navman used the data to compile a map of the UK that also highlights the deadliest counties.

Scotland’s smallest county Clackmannanshire was the safest area and recorded no fatalities between 2012 and 2016.

Cardiff, Tyne and Wear and Belfast city had the next lowest rates per 10,000 residents.

In total there were 8,534 fatal traffic accidents between 2012 and 2016, according to the map which is based on data from the Department for Transport and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

It aims to highlight the most highrisk highways, helping to identify hazards.

Peter Millichap, UK marketing director at Teletrac Navman, said: “When operating a fleet, driver safety is extremely high on the agenda.

“As such, knowing which stretches of road are the most dangerous in the country can help operators reduce the risk of accidents by adjusting their routes or schedules accordingly.”