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Australia’s worst crash hot spots revealed in AAMI Crash Index 2018

3 October 2018

The 2018 AAMI Crash Index has revealed that Australia’s most likely place for a motor vehicle accident is Plenty Road Bundoora, in Victoria.

The data looks at claims from one of Australia’s largest and most awarded insurers, AAMI, part of the Suncorp Network. It shows there are certain Australian roads that are worse than others. Take a look at the worst accident hot spots in your city and find out the roads to avoid or be extra conscious of. Make sure you always keep road safety front of mind, particularly if these hot spots happen to fall on your daily commute.

Explore the worst hot spots in your city

Brisbane

Brisbane’s northern areas have taken this year’s unwanted mantle of its most accident-prone, with just over 10% more accident claims, compared to its southern areas. Does this prove that Brisbane’s roads on the south-side are safer?

One thing is for certain, Gympie Road (at Chermside and Aspley) is easily Brisbane’s most dangerous hot spot, with the stretch of road running through Chermside accounting for approximately 40% more accidents than the second most dangerous.

Sydney

Sydney’s heavy traffic and congestion is well documented, so it’s no surprise that some of its most heavy-use areas are also its worst in terms of accidents. With the Hume Highway – running through Liverpool – reclaiming its long-held (2014-2016) first place as Sydney’s most dangerous stretch of road. Pennant Hills Road at Pennant Hills, is hot on the Hume Highway’s heels as this year’s second worst spot.

The 2018 AAMI Crash Index data only serves to reinforce the notion that even though many of these main arterial roads often move at a snail’s pace, concentration is key at all times for maintaining road safety. 

Melbourne

Melbourne, awarded Australia’s most liveable city, is also home to Australia’s worst metro area crash hot spot – Plenty Road, Bundoora. Whether Plenty Road commuters are busy rushing off to La Trobe University, or darting around the 86 tram – drivers need to pay extra attention to the road in this area.

Though Melbourne’s north has the single worst hot spot in the country, it’s those driving through the eastern suburbs of Doncaster, Glen Waverley, Ferntree Gully, Springvale and Chadstone that are the most accident-prone. Doncaster Road and Springvale Road (in Glen Waverley and Springvale) are the area’s worst.

While many shoppers frequent the Chadstone Shopping Centre, some come away with more than they bargained for, as it came in as the seventh worst Melbourne hot spot on the 2018 AAMI Crash Index.

Adelaide

For the second year in a row, The Parade (running through the Adelaide suburb of Norwood) is again the worst crash hot spot in Adelaide. Combined with nearby North Terrace, West Terrace and Port Road, this area around Adelaide’s CBD is particularly problematic.

Unlike most metro accident hot spots, the volume of accidents in Adelaide’s worst 10 is quite evenly spread, with number 1 (The Parade, Norwood) having only 20% more accident claims than number 10 (Port Road, Hindmarsh).

Canberra

Nowhere else is there a greater disparity between a metro area’s worst and tenth worst than in Canberra. Motorists on the Monaro Highway at Hume have 3 times more accidents than those of Sulwood Drive in Kambah.

The Monaro Highway managed to dislodge Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick, as Canberra’s worst hot spot – bringing to an end a 3-year reign of shame.

Canberra has also seen a significant amount of new hot spots popping into its top 10 worst – making it equal with Melbourne for overall new arrivals.

Hobart

Hobart is Australia’s equal-most consistent capital city when it comes to motor vehicle accidents, with only 2 new entrants into its top 10 hot spots – the Brooker Highway, running through the suburb of Glenorchy and Murray Street in Hobart.

As was in 2016 and 2017, Argyle Street, Macquarie Street and Davey Street in and around the CBD are again among the city’s most accident-prone areas.

Perth

Geographically speaking, Perth’s worst hot spots are quite widely dispersed. With areas in the north (Wanneroo Road, Wanneroo), south (Ranford Road, Canning Vale), central (Mitchell Freeway) and east (Great Eastern Highway, Midland) all home to top 10 hot spots.

Where are Perth drivers coming unstuck the most? The Albany Highway in Cannington was again Perth’s most notorious stretch. And though it was down on total numbers from the previous year, it has been Perth’s most accident-prone area since 2016.

Perth is equal with Hobart as Australia’s most consistent city when it comes to crash hot spots, with only 2 new entrants into the top 10.

Road safety tips

There are many factors that contribute to certain areas experiencing more accidents than others, such as high volumes of traffic and congestion, multiple sets of traffic lights, major roads intersecting and feeding into hot spots, and inclement road conditions like snow and black ice. Therefore, it’s always important to practice safe driving and remain vigilant. Here are some simple road safety tips to help:

  • Avoid distractions, such as using your phone or digital device
  • Pay particular attention in busy or accident-prone areas, or in bad weather conditions
  • Leave a reasonable braking distance between you and the vehicle in front.

Motor vehicle accidents can happen no matter where you are, or how alert you may be, which is why making sure your Car Insurance cover and Roadside Assistance are up to date.

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*Data and insights provided by AAMI, which is part of the Suncorp Network.

**AAMI Crash Index 2018 covers claims data collected between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2018. 


Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision regarding this product. Suncorp Roadside Assist is an optional extra only available in conjunction with Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance. Terms and conditions for coverage apply.