New research has revealed the most dangerous areas in Wales to drive in, with the Pembrokeshire area coming out on top statistically, having the most collisions per billion vehicle miles.

The study by insurance brokers OneSureInsurance analysed historical data from the Department for Transport Statistics to see which Welsh areas had the highest average collisions per billion vehicle miles over a ten-year period.

It found that the Pembrokeshire area is statistically Wales’ most dangerous area to drive in.

Between 2012 and 2021, there were, on average, 370 collisions per billion vehicle miles in the area each year. 2012 was found to have the highest numbers, with 491 collisions per billion vehicle miles, and 2021 was seemingly the safest, with just 326 collisions per billion vehicle miles.

Coming in a close second is Ceredigion, with 362 collisions per billion vehicle miles on average. The area’s most dangerous year was found to be 2012 once again, with 472 collisions per billion vehicle miles, and 2020 was the safest, with just 274.

Third place goes to the Powys area, which has had 361 collisions per billion vehicle miles on average across the years recorded in the study. Figures were highest in 2015, with 434 collisions per billion vehicle miles, and lowest in 2020, with just 266 collisions per billion vehicle miles.

Fourth place goes to the Merthyr Tydfil area, which follows closely with 335 collisions per billion vehicle miles. Collisions were highest in 2014, with 461 per billion vehicle miles, and at their lowest in 2021, with 184.

Rounding out the top five is Wrexham, with the area seeing an average of 331 collisions per billion vehicle miles.

Collisions were highest in 2012, with 542 collisions for every billion vehicle miles and lowest in 2021, with just 221 per billion vehicle miles.

When looking at all Welsh areas, the average number of collisions per billion vehicle miles is 275, which is exactly half the average of the whole of England, which sits at 550.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for OneSureInsurance said: “This list is varied in terms of its mix of rural and urban areas, showing that more cars on the road doesn’t always mean more crashes.

“Often, high speeds in the countryside can lead to incidents, which is shown with several more rural areas being present in the top ten.”