M6 motorway ‘most dangerous route for debris in the UK’ with M62 fifth worst

Stretches of two major motorways have been named among the most dangerous routes for potentially deadly carriageway debris in the UK.

New research names the M6 and the M62 - and reveals an alarming number of reported incidents across the country's roads and motorway networks.

Debris lying on carriageways was reported 68,410 times on Britain's motorways and A-roads in 2022 - the equivalent of 192 incidents a day, reported breakdown recovery firm Green Flag.

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The M6 in England, the M8 in Scotland and the A55 in Wales had the highest number of reported debris incidents in each country, reveals its research.

Building materials, vehicles parts and 'roadkill' are said to be among the most common types of debris encountered by motorists and reported. On the M6, Green Flag said 7,284 cases of potentially-dangerous debris were reported in 2022, the latest figures available.

The M1, M5 AND M25 ranked below the M6, with the M62 (3,632 reports) in fifth and the M60 motorway (2,011 reports) in eighth place.

Drivers should report obstructions on motorways and A-roads to National Highways in England. Green Flag obtained the figures from National Highways using the Freedom of Information Act.

"Debris on motorways and A-roads can be particularly dangerous given the speeds that motorists are travelling," said the company. "Even small pieces of debris on roads can cause significant damage to tyres or windscreens.

"Overall, road debris was reported 68,410 times on Britain's major roads in 2022 - equivalent to 192 incidents every day. This is an eight per cent decline from 2021, when there were 74,290 reports of debris.

"In Scotland, there were 5,291 incidents of debris on major roads managed by Transport Scotland in 2022 – down from 7,899 in 2021. The M8, which connects Glasgow and Edinburgh, saw the highest number of reports of road debris in Scotland. This was followed by the M9, M90, A9 and A720.

"Of the 61,568 incidents on English roads, the most common types of debris reported were building materials, vehicle parts and tyres. Roadkill was responsible for 3,149 incidents and sports equipment for 348 incidents."

Katie Lomas, Managing Director of Green Flag, said: "Road debris is an unwanted distraction that causes drivers to have to move lanes quickly, slow down at short notice or sometimes even stop. The data shows that incidents continue to be extremely common, highlighting how important it is for drivers to concentrate, drive at sensible speeds and to be on high alert every time they go on a motorway, or major road.

"If you do spot debris on a motorway, you should report it to the relevant agency as soon as it is safe to do so."

No exact stretches of the M6, M62 or M60 were named in the research.

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