In Bristol alone, there were 10 serious or fatal cases of dangerous drivingjDangerous driving can lead to prison sentences of up to 14 years. Stock image.(Image: Getty)

More dangerous drivers were caught in Bristol last year than anywhere else in the Avon and Somerset Police force area, new figures show.

Home Office figures show that police in England and Wales logged more than 6,200 crime reports of dangerous driving in 2024, including 61 offences in the Avon and Somerset police area, 10 of which caused a death or serious injury.

Nationally, that was an 8% increase from the previous year.

In the Avon and Somerset police force area, the number of dangerous driving offences remained stable, falling only slightly from 64. However, in 2023, only one dangerous driving offence caused a death or serious injury, nine fewer than last year.

In the three years to the end of 2024, police recorded 64 crimes of dangerous driving in Bristol, including six that caused a death or serious injury, more than anywhere else in Avon and Somerset.

For every 100,000 people over the legal driving age, there were 16 offences in Bristol. That’s a higher rate than anywhere else in the police force area, though it should be noted that not every driver will be local.

South Gloucestershire had the second-highest rate of dangerous driving offences over the last three years, with 12 per 100,000 people, and Somerset was third (10 per 100,000 people).

The Avon and Somerset police force area saw far fewer dangerous drivers compared to some other parts of the country, however, particularly in the North of England.

In Bradford, the city with the highest dangerous driving rates in England and Wales, there were 242 crimes for every 100,000 of the driving age population in the last three years, more than 15 times higher than the rate in Bristol.

In our area, dangerous drivers were rarely encountered in North Somerset, where the rate was just seven offences for every 100,000 people over the legal driving age. That was one of the lowest rates in the country.

You can see how it compares where you live using our interactive map.

Avon and Somerset Police highlights how “every fatal and serious injury collision has a devastating and far-reaching impact”, with most being preventable and caused by at least one of the ‘Fatal Five’ factors:

Speeding – Driving above the speed limit or too fast for the road conditions.

Seatbelt offences – Failure to wear a seatbelt, or not ensuring passengers are properly secured.

Driving under the influence – This includes both drink driving and drug driving.

Careless driving – Driving without proper consideration for other road users and demonstrating poor driving standards.

Distracted driving – Drivers being distracted while driving, including the use of a mobile device at the wheel.

In 2024, across Avon and Somerset, there were more than 400 serious injury collisions and 52 road deaths. Through education and enforcement, the force says it is working to raise awareness of the Fatal Five and encourage behaviour change to prevent serious injury and fatal collisions on our roads.

Dangerous driving is when a motorist’s actions fall “far below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver” and could put themselves or others at risk of harm.

Examples include speeding, driving aggressively, overtaking dangerously, or ignoring traffic lights.

It could also include driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, or driving when unfit, for example, when feeling sleepy, or being unable to see clearly.

Punishment could include a fine, disqualification from driving and even imprisonment.

For the most serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving, the sentence could be up to 14 years in prison and a minimum disqualification from driving of two years.

Rates of dangerous driving offences

Bristol, City of – 16.3

South Gloucestershire – 12.2

Somerset – 10.2

Bath and North East Somerset – 9.3

North Somerset – 7.3