Statistics from 2014 show 9% of collisions involved a driver pulling out from a side road, according to accident management company Accident Exchange, who analysed data from 39,000 cases of accidents it handled in 2014.

It found that 9% were the result of a motorist emerging from a side road without paying enough attention.

The same figure was 7.9% in 2013, representing an increase in real terms of 12% in the space of 12 months.

Liz Fisher, sales director at Accident Exchange, said: “Not looking properly at side road junctions before pulling out is one of the most common – and dangerous – errors a driver can make.

“The spike in this type of collision could stem from reduced concentration, particularly distracted drivers who follow the instructions of a navigation system and forget to adhere to the rules of the road or make the necessary checks before emerging.

“The scrappage scheme of 2009/10 also removed thousands of older cars from the road. Newer models are renowned for their increased safety, but reduced visibility from thicker pillars and smaller glass areas means extra precaution should be taken when emerging from a side road into fast-flowing traffic.”