Motorists face double collision risk driving to UK airports this Summer which could leave them £540 out of pocket

Lisa Baker, Editor July 17, 2025
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Heathrow, Stansted and Birmingham Airports pose the highest risk

As families across the UK gear up for the great summer getaway, more than 52 million passengers are expected to fly between June and August 2025[1]. Yet while many focus on flight delays or lost luggage, analysis from Angelica Solutions reveals a potential risk long before travellers even reach the airport terminal.  Driving to the airport could expose motorists to collision rates twice the national average, potentially adding £540 to holiday costs if they’re at fault in an accident.

Drivers near major airports in England and Wales face heightened road risks that potentially lead to significant financial burdens reveals analysis from Angelica Solutions– an independent consultancy specialising in data-driven solutions for the insurance industry. The collision risk in these areas is twice the national average, with notable cost implications for ‘at fault’ drivers.

Angelica Solutions analysed government road collision data[2], revealing that the annual rate of injury-causing collisions stands at approximately 1.7 per 1,000 people nationally. However, this figure is double for individuals living near major airports. Heathrow Airport emerges as particularly hazardous, with a rate of 4.2 injury-causing collisions per 1,000 people every year, making nearby residents 2.4 times more at risk than the national average.  Stansted and Birmingham follow behind, with motorists likely to be 2.2 and 2.1 times more at risk respectively.

Top airport collision hotspots

  1. Heathrow Airport: 4.2 collisions per 1,000 people (2.4 times the national risk)
  2. London Stansted: 3.8 collisions per 1,000 people (2.2 times)
  3. Birmingham: 3.5 collisions per 1,000 people (2.1 times)
  4. London Luton: 3.1 collisions per 1,000 people (1.8 times)
  5. Bristol: 3.0 collisions per 1,000 people (1.7 times)
  6. London Gatwick: 2.5 collisions per 1,000 people (1.5 times)
  7. Manchester: 2.0 collisions per 1,000 people (1.2 times)

For drivers heading to these airports, the increased likelihood of collisions can lead to substantial costs. Being identified as the ‘at-fault’ driver in such incidents may result in expenses around £540[3], factoring in excess payments and increased insurance premiums at renewal.

Sarah Vaughan Director of Angelica Solutions comments: “This analysis underscores not only the greater road risks associated with airport proximity but also the financial repercussions for drivers.  Motorists choosing to drive to the airport are therefore facing increased risks on the road compared to the typical journey. Aside from the trauma, stress and inconvenience of being involved in a road collision, if you are found to be the ‘at-fault’ driver it’s likely to cost you around £540 in excess payments and increased premium at your next renewal”.

 

[1] https://aci.aero/2025/02/26/the-trusted-authority-on-air-travel-demand-insights/

[2] https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/cb7ae6f0-4be6-4935-9277-47e5ce24a11f/road-safety-data

[3] Based on an average premium of £622, an increase at renewal of 30%, and excess payments of £350 (£250 voluntary and £100 compulsory).
Average premium and excess figures were taken as reported. Increase at renewal percentage was taken as a ‘mid-point’ of reported values.