Thousands of road crashes caused by 'momentary lapses' as drivers collide while moving

The report by AA Accident Assist examined more than 67,000 claims submitted to its service between January 1 and December 14, offering a detailed picture of how accidents are happening on UK roads.

The data showed moving vehicle collisions were the single biggest cause of accidents, accounting for around 40 per cent of all claims handled this year.

Experts warned that the findings highlighted the risks motorists face every day, even in situations that may not appear dangerous. Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said being involved in a crash can have lasting effects.

He said: "Being involved in a crash is incredibly stressful and can affect people in different ways. Aside from any physical injuries, people could be mentally and emotionally affected for some time."

While crashes between moving vehicles were the most common, the research found that many accidents happened at low speeds and in everyday driving conditions.

Around one in five incidents involved drivers hitting stationary vehicles, including parked cars, making this the second most common type of accident.

Rear-end collisions in slow or congested traffic were also a major problem, accounting for around 10 per cent of all claims.

The figures suggested car parks, residential streets and queues of traffic are among the most risky places for motorists.

Parked cars were involved in nearly a fifth of all incidents recorded, while one in 10 crashes happened when drivers ran into the back of the vehicle in front.

AA Accident Assist said this shows how easily drivers can lose focus when they feel the risk is low. The research also revealed drivers hit a wide range of unexpected obstacles throughout the year.

Kerbs, open car doors, road debris and walls each accounted for around two per cent of claims. More unusual incidents included drivers hitting hedges, barriers and deer, with each making up around one per cent of accidents.

The full breakdown highlighted how accidents are not limited to high-speed roads or major collisions, but can happen in everyday situations.

Mr Rankin said many of the crashes were caused by "momentary lapses in concentration" rather than dangerous driving.

He said: "Our data reveals that in many cases, a momentary loss of concentration is a key factor in the collision happening. Be that being too close to the vehicle in front, forgetting to put the handbrake on, or misjudging the space in car parks."

Incident reports included examples of how small mistakes quickly turned into accidents. In one case, a driver failed to apply the handbrake, allowing their car to roll into a neighbour's parked vehicle.

In another case, a motorist reversing out of a garage struck a ladder, while a separate claim involved a driver hitting a wall while parking at home.

Mr Rankin also warned that the impact of accidents is not always physical. Drivers can suffer stress, anxiety and a loss of confidence long after the damage to their vehicle has been repaired, he said.

He said a good resolution for 2026 would be to "allow more space between yourself and other road users, show respect, slow down, and keep your eyes on the road".