Rear-end collisions are the most common type of road accident, accounting for nearly a quarter of all incidents on UK roads.
New data from AX found that rear-end collisions made up 22% of all recorded accidents, while being hit while parked accounted for just under 22% of incidents.
When it comes to fuel types, nearly a third (32%) of all incidents involving electric vehicles occur while the vehicle is parked or unattended, reflecting higher urban usage and busier parking environments. This means electric vehicles account for more than a quarter of all incidents that take place when the vehicle is parked or attended.
While driving, electric vehicles account for 21% of all rear-end collisions compared to 23% for petrol cars and 22% for diesels.
Driver behaviour
Scott Hamilton-Cooper, chief commercial officer at AX, said: “These findings reveal how driver behaviour and vehicle technology continue to evolve. It’s clear that while EVs bring benefits in terms of safety features and lower emissions, they also display unique patterns of risk.
“Understanding those nuances helps us not just to manage claims efficiently, but also to educate drivers about how best to prevent avoidable accidents. We have a wealth of data which we can present to our dealer, fleet and insurer partners to help them manage risk. But if an accident occurs, we ensure they remain mobile and that their vehicle is repaired and back on the road as soon as possible.”
