Data from AA Accident Assist shows that roundabouts accounted for 20% of 2,810 reported near-miss incidents in 2024.
Car parks and standard junctions followed behind, making up 11% and 9% respectively. Most of these incidents involved drivers almost hitting the vehicle in front or nearly being rear-ended.
In Cambridge, the conversation around roundabout safety intensified after the city introduced the UK’s first Dutch-style roundabout in 2020. Costing £2.4 million, the design prioritises cyclists and pedestrians with bright red lanes and crossings at every exit. While intended to improve safety, the roundabout has faced mixed reviews and some confusion among motorists.
“Younger drivers are especially vulnerable,” said Tim Rankin, Managing Director of AA Accident Assist. “But drivers of all ages admitted they were caught off guard or distracted. It shows how important ongoing learning is for road safety.”
The study, based on responses from nearly 14,000 AA members, found that 37% of drivers aged 18–24 had a near miss in the past year, compared to just 21% of those aged 65 and over.
While experts urge more awareness and careful driving at complex junctions, not everyone supports the shift in design. Hugh Bladon of the Alliance of British Drivers criticised the new roundabout systems: “If you start changing the rules, no one will know what to do. Keep it simple.”
Cambridge now stands as a testbed for future traffic solutions, balancing innovation with safety as more Dutch-style roundabouts are rolled out nationwide.
