Stratford Road named the most dangerous road for serious crashes

Stratford Road has been named the most dangerous road for serious crashes in the police force area that covers Birmingham, according to figures released under freedom of information.

The force attended 514 collisions involving death or serious injury between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026, an average of almost three every two days. The victims included pedestrians, drivers and cyclists.

The worst roads

• Stratford Road topped the list, with nine separate fatal or serious collisions in the 12 months.
• Alum Rock Road was second, with officers called seven times.
• Pershore Road featured five times, with another two collisions on Pershore Road South.

"High Street" appeared 14 times, but the figures do not make clear whether that refers to one road or to the high streets of several different town centres.

Lives behind the figures

On 1 August last year, the first day covered by the data, a crash on Stratford Road in Sparkbrook involved a Vauxhall Meriva, an Audi A4 and a parked car. Crimestoppers has offered a reward of up to £20,000 for information about those responsible.

Tragedies have continued since the period covered by the figures. On 3 September, Ismail Mohammed, 68, died after being hit by a vehicle near the junction of Stratford Road with Wycome Road in Hall Green. The same day, a four-car crash on Alum Rock Road led to the arrest of a 17-year-old boy.

On Monday 21 September, a man in his 70s died after a collision between a pedestrian and a car on Pershore Road at around 2.15pm.

Why these roads?

Stratford Road, Alum Rock Road and Pershore Road are all long, busy routes into the city centre, lined with shops, restaurants, homes and schools. They carry heavy traffic and buses, and large numbers of people cross them on foot at all hours, which makes them more likely to see serious collisions than quieter roads.

The council's target

Birmingham City Council adopted a Road Harm Reduction Strategy last year, committing the city to Vision Zero, the aim that nobody should be killed or seriously injured on its roads. Measures used to cut casualties include lower speed limits, safer crossings, narrower junctions and average speed cameras on the worst routes.

What drivers can do

• Keep to the speed limit, and slow down further where shops, schools and bus stops bring people close to the road.
• Put your phone away: using a hand-held phone while driving carries six penalty points and a £200 fine.
• Look out for people crossing between parked cars and buses.
• Never drive after drinking or taking drugs.

Anyone with information about a serious collision can call 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

People who walk, cycle or ride a motorbike are the most vulnerable road users, and they make up a large share of those killed or badly hurt in the city. Wearing bright or reflective clothing as the evenings draw in, and using lights on bikes after dark, can make a real difference to being seen in time.