Most common day for car accidents revealed

Tuesdays are the most dangerous day to drive cars, according to new data analysis by LeasePlan UK. In fact, statistical analysis by the vehicle management group has found that 18% of accidents* involving company cars, occur on the second day of the working week. The result? Damages from fault and non-fault incidents cost companies upwards of £2.8 million over the last year, just for this day alone [2].

An estimated one in three company vehicles will be involved in an accident each year [1]. The evening rush hour 3-6pm, is the most common time for accidents and January with its combination of poor light and low sun along with icy and wet roads presents some of the most challenging driving conditions for motorists.

According to the new data collected over the last 12 months, Fords are most likely to be involved in accidents, followed by BMWs and Volkswagens. These incidents are also, on average, costing businesses £16.1 million annually, with vehicles spending 10 days off the road for repairs.

With nearly 25,000 drivers seriously injured in 2017 in road traffic accidents [4], it's likely drivers will either experience or be involved in an incident at some point in their lives. If this happens, LeasePlan UK has created a set of tips to help drivers know what to do in the event of an accident:

If you have accidently caused damage or personal injury to another vehicle, an animal or a property - even if it wasn't your fault - you must stop in a safe place.

If anyone involved is injured or in immediate danger, call the emergency services as soon as possible. Be sure not to put yourself at any undue risk in order to help.

If an accident has occurred, it is best to get yourself out of the way as quickly and safely as possible. Blocking traffic or standing in the middle of the road is dangerous and can cause another accident.

If anyone else has been involved with this incident, it is within your right to ask for the owner of the vehicle's name and contact details - along with the name of their insurer. If they refuse to share these details, then the incident must be reported to the police.

No matter how upset you are, remain civil. If no one is hurt, that really trumps everything else, property damage or financial loss can be repaired or made up later. Don't say or do something you may later regret.

One last piece of advice, take a couple of photos of the scene (once safe to do so), as when you're talking it through with your insurer it'll help piece the events together, or as evidence if needed.

*Data is for both fault and non-fault accidents

^[1] ^Sourced from RAC Foundation - Driving for Better Business http://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/

^[2]Fault and Non-Fault company car incidents data sourced from LeasePlan UK, between 2014 and 2018.

^[3]Sourced from Inrix.com - http://inrix.com/press-releases/traffic-congestion-cost-uk-motorists-more-than-30-billion-in-2016/

^[4]Sourced from Gov.uk https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/744077/reported-road-casualties-annual-report-2017.pdf

About LeasePlan

LeasePlan is one of the world's leading Car-as-a-Service companies, with 1.8 million vehicles under management in over 30 countries. LeasePlan manages the entire vehicle life-cycle for its corporate, SME and private customers, taking care of everything from purchasing, insurance and maintenance to car resale. LeasePlan's core businesses are Car-as-a-Service, a EUR 68billion market, and CarNext.com, an independent marketplace for flexible used-car mobility solutions, serving a EUR 65billion market. With over 50 years' experience, LeasePlan's mission is to provide what's next in mobility via an 'any car, anytime, anywhere' service - so you can focus on what's next for you. Find out more at www.leaseplan.com/corporate.

Media Enquiries: BOTTLE PR Tel - 01865 770381 Email - leaseplan@wearebottle.com