Over 5,800 incursions into live roadworks were recorded in a single year, with more than £33 million in fines issued for failures in safety compliance. These figures highlight ongoing risks on UK highways, emphasised in the latest Health and Safety in Highways Report 2026 by Re-flow.
Five core risks shaping UK highways safety
The report examines incident data, enforcement actions, and supply chain feedback to evaluate safety management across the sector. It focuses on five key areas: safety failures and their impacts, gaps in reporting and visibility, incursions into live roadworks, worker abuse, and the role of technology in risk control.
These aspects underline the practical challenges of maintaining consistent safety standards under delivery pressures across roads including motorways, A-roads, and slip roads operated by local authorities, National Highways contractors, and supply chains.
Repeated, avoidable failures linked to serious incidents
Recent cases reviewed by the Health and Safety Executive show recurring causes behind major incidents. Common failings include insufficient traffic management and site segregation, outdated risk assessments, equipment lacking basic safeguards, and gaps in training or supervision.
Such shortcomings have contributed directly to multiple fatalities and significant financial penalties, signalling a failure to apply controls effectively in practice.
Incident reporting falls short of capturing full risk
The report finds inconsistent recording of incidents across projects. Around 40% of supply chain vehicles fail simple legal checks such as tyre condition, lighting, or load security, yet many faults go unreported until they escalate.
This partial visibility hampers proactive risk management and compromises safety assurance, particularly under tight programmes governed by CDM and Traffic Management Act requirements.
Incursions into live works remain frequent and unpredictable
Incursions recorded reached 5,899 in one year, including an alarming 144 in a single month. Despite improved protection measures and technology, many incursions remain beyond direct operational control, exposing workers and the public to unpredictable danger.
Workforce abuse is widespread but underreported
Operatives frequently face verbal and physical abuse while working on the network. Industry initiatives like RAISE seek to map abuse incidents geographically and improve sector collaboration, yet reporting remains incomplete.
Inconsistency in safety processes impacts delivery and cost
While documented controls exist across sites and contracts, the report highlights variation in application and recording, especially under delivery pressure. In construction, avoidable errors account for around 21% of project value and 39% of injuries occur during rework, linking safety lapses to financial loss.
Trusted data from authoritative sources
The Health and Safety in Highways Report 2026 compiles data and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, National Highways, the Supply Chain Safety Leadership Group, and official UK road safety statistics. It also includes insights from industry webinars, enforcement case studies, and programmes such as Home Safe and Well and RAISE.
For a detailed view of incidents, case studies, and recommendations, the full report is available for download from Re-flow's website.
