ACCIDENTS, not roadworks, are the main cause of traffic congestion and motorway gridlock, according to AA Roadwatch's new quarterly traffic index. Publication of the findings from more than 173,500 incidents on Britain's roads in the first six months of 1997 have prompted pleas by the motoring organisation for improved driving as a result of changing road conditions.

AA managing director Peter Johnson said: 'Ask drivers for the main cause of hold-ups on our roads and most would pin the blame on roadworks. But our AA Roadwatch quarterly index on Britain's traffic problems shows that accidents cause gridlock more often than any other type of incident. The resulting congestion can go on for hours delaying thousands of drivers as they go about their daily business.'

The report says the worst days for gridlock incidents in the first half of the year were when road conditions were affected by rain, fog and snow. As a result Johnson said some accidents could have been avoided if all drivers had slowed down and taken account of the unusual road conditions, instead of ploughing on as if it were a normal day.

'With the evidence of our latest report, and the onset of autumn, we repeat our plea to drivers to heed the warnings to slow down, leave more braking room between them and the car in front and always signal before manoeuvring. Britain's accident rate is one of the lowest in Europe and could be lower still if drivers did their bit,' said Johnson.