I drove round the UK’s most dangerous roundabout - it's easy to see why so many cars crash

Sitting at the traffic lights, staring at the red beam in front of me, a sudden realisation of where I am creeps over me. This is the UK’s most dangerous roundabout, and I'm in a classic Fiat Cinquecento. I’m test driving the early 1990s classic and take a detour to check out statistically the most dangerous circle in the country.

Heading along the A4 in West London, the destination creeps into focus, this is the Hammersmith Flyover and underneath the imposing roundabout that I’ve come to try. The Hammersmith Flyover is one of the most recognisable traffic sights in West London. The roundabout below connects major roads with the A4 and A219 merging.

The nearby Hammersmith Underground station also helps to create a congested area with vehicles, buses, cyclists and pedestrians all meeting together.

Statistically, the roundabout at the Hammersmith Flyover is considered the most dangerous in the country with hundreds of incidents over the past decade.

Data from MotorEasy looking at the country’s most risky roundabouts places Hammersmith right at the top, with 287 accidents in the 10-year period analysed by experts.

This was just three more than Redbridge Roundabout where 284 incidents were recorded putting it firmly into the number two spot.

Setting off, it’s quick to see why this one-way roundabout is such a problem for locals and tourists.

The changing nature of the road with several lane switches, a plethora of side junctions and regular bus stops make this an immediate attack on the senses.

At the north side of the roundabout, the three-lane roundabout combines with the A315, adding an additional lane for road users on the next stretch.

However, the way the road is designed means motorists joining the roundabout from the A315 will need to cross over at least one lane if they wish to stay on the road or head further west.

Talgarth Road then merges onto the roundabout with five lanes now temporarily in operation for a short stretch.

This falls back to four lanes just metres later and covers the final stretch in front of the Hammersmith Underground station to complete the circle.

As if the thought of switching between lanes wasn't enough, the traffic here is often bumper to bumper making it difficult to manoeuvre alongside buses, taxis and other vehicles.

I spent the whole time thinking, if an ambulance or police car wants to get through here I don’t know how I'll be able to move.

One late lane change and I received a short, sharp beep from behind. I wasn't the only one. It appears that it's almost the soundtrack to the road.