Scottish route named the second most DANGEROUS winter drive in the UK

Drivers need to stay safe when travelling around this winter, as snow and icy conditions make some of the worst roads in the UK even more dangerous.

Now road safety experts at Road Angel have named the six most dangerous routes across the country which drivers should try and avoid, for fear of serious accidents and fatalities.

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The wintery conditions sweeping the country at the moment look set to continue, and the rail strikes are forcing more people onto the roads, as people still need to travel to work, school and home, despite the adverse conditions.

From the picturesque Glen Quaich in Perthshire to Hardknott Pass in the Lake District, some roads are dangerous enough as it is – with hairpin bends and steep gradients.

But in the winter weather, they are even more treacherous, with the risk of skidding, significantly reduced visibility and freezing temperatures.

Road Angel’s most dangerous driving routes this winter.

1. Kirkstone Pass, Lake District 

Kirkstone Pass is the highest road in the National Park, 454 metres above sea level, with bends and slopes all the way. As well as being steep and twisty, Kirkstone Pass is also very narrow at some points.

Despite the beautiful scenery over the Lake District, drivers may not even be able to see it because of the thick mist throughout the colder months. The road is actually closed when there are bad winter conditions because of the risk it poses to drivers.  

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2. Glen Quaich, Scotland

This picturesque drive in the heart of Perthshire is said to be one of the most stunning drives in Scotland but is a risky route for motorists.  

It’s situated almost midway between Crieff and Aberfeldy . The upper reaches of the glen approach Loch Tay and the lower part of the glen contains Loch Freuchie.

Several parts of the road are extremely narrow with few passing places along the way – as well as a steep gradient of up to 17 per cent – sharp hairpin bends and no road markings.

The conditions make Glen Quaich an even more extremely dangerous road for motorists to navigate in the winter months.

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3. Hardknott Pass, Lake District

Hardknott Pass is another dangerous road in the Lakes, known for being the steepest in England. This single track road reaches a massive 33 per cent gradient at one stretch and the several tight bends make it one of the hardest to drive on in the country, nevermind during the winter.

The road surface is in bad condition meaning it gets very icy and slippery during adverse conditions, and the pass often gets closed because it’s often impassable for winter motorists.

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4. Petworth, West Sussex to Chichester, A285

This section of the warns motorists to drive with caution during all conditions. Long and fast straights see cars spinning off in icy conditions, and the several sharp, unexpected bends provide very little visibility, especially in the winter mist and fog.

Collision rates along this stretch of road are frequent, which is only made worse during the winter conditions.

5. Cat and Fiddle, Peak District

Named after the Cat and Fiddle Inn at the summit, this road has stunning views of the countryside, but comes at risky consequences.

Often named the most dangerous road in the UK, the route between Deryshire and Cheshire has blind bends, which are often unexpected for drivers.

Over the winter time the sharp bends combined with reduced visibility and a slippery, icy road surface, make driving only for the brave.

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6. Devil’s Staircase, Wales

The clue is in the name for this stretch of hairpin turns in the Cambrian Mountains, Wales.

With a maximum gradient of 20per cent along the sharp bends, it’s an extremely dangerous and narrow single track road for winter drivers.

The road surface is often damaged from adverse conditions and given its remote location, it can be hard to reach for those in danger, and even a struggle to reach a phone signal to call for help.

For more winter driving advice from the motoring experts, head over to roadangelgroup.com

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