Understanding the location of the most dangerous roads in Australia is the first step to staying safe while driving. Learn whether your daily drive or holiday road trip includes one of the most dangerous roads in Australia. We also share insights on road safety to reduce your accident risk, and how Shine can help if you’ve been in an accident on the road.
What types of roads and which states have the most crashes?
Recent analysis by AAMI of national motor insurance claims has revealed the most dangerous cities in Australia for motor vehicle accidents. The type of road with the most crashes in Australia are major thoroughfares that intersect with local streets. These dangerous roads carry heavy traffic throughout the day and run through shopping, educational, medical or industrial precincts, which add to the number of cars entering the stream of traffic.
It’s no surprise that on these dangerous roads and highways in Australia, nose-to-tail collisions are the most common type of motor vehicle accident in all states except Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
The most recent Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics insights into crash features of road traumas highlights that most incidents occur on local roads, as well as national and state highways. The states with the most road trauma incidents are New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
Top 8 most dangerous roads in Australia
AAMI’s analysis of over 350,000 car insurance claims has revealed the top 8 most dangerous roads in Australia’s states and territories.
Queensland - Gympie Road, Chermside
Gympie Road in the Brisbane suburb of Chermside is a major route between the city and northern suburbs. Afternoon peak hour is when drivers need to remain particularly vigilant.
Most common crash type in Queensland: Nose-to-tail
New South Wales - Hume Highway, Liverpool
The Hume Highway in Liverpool is the number one dangerous road in Sydney for the sixth year in a row. The intersection with Elizabeth Drive is an area for particular care, as is driving west into the setting sun.
Most common crash type in New South Wales: Nose-to-tail
Australian Capital Territory - Monaro Highway, Hume
A major thoroughfare with many traffic light intersections, the Monaro Highway in Hume is the Australian Capital Territory’s most dangerous road. Speeding, speed zone changes and heavy commuter traffic are significant factors leading to collisions.
Most common crash type in Australian Capital Territory: Nose-to-tail
Victoria - Plenty Road, Bundoora
For the sixth year in a row, Plenty Road in the north-east Melbourne suburb of Bundoora is the most dangerous road in Australia. However, crash numbers have reduced over time, thanks largely to the implementation of a 10-kilometre reduction in speed.
Most common crash type in Victoria: Nose-to-tail
South Australia - West Terrace, Adelaide
West Terrace in Adelaide is a major connecting road between the western suburbs and CBD. It includes the Royal Adelaide Hospital precinct as well as educational, hotel, food and retail precincts. Most West Terrace collisions occur on Saturdays.
Most common crash type in South Australia: Nose-to-tail
Tasmania - Argyle Street, Hobart
Argyle Street is a heavy-traffic thoroughfare running through the Hobart CBD from the waterfront to the northern suburbs. Local street intersections, the Royal Hobart Hospital, retail and hospitality precincts add to the heavy traffic numbers.
Most common crash type in Tasmania: Accidental damage while parked
Western Australia - Albany Highway, Cannington
The Albany Highway in Cannington has been Perth’s worst crash site for nine of the past ten years. The multi-lane highway intersects with several high-traffic local roads. Perth’s largest shopping centre, Westfield Carousel, as well as other retail precincts add to car numbers entering the highway.
Most common crash type in Western Australia: Nose-to-tail
Northern Territory - Stuart Highway, Katherine
The Stuart Highway runs between Darwin and Port Augusta in South Australia. It carries significant tourist traffic in addition to local drivers. Male drivers (at 71%) are significantly more likely to be involved in an accident than female drivers.
Most common crash type in Northern Territory: Collision with an animal
How to reduce your accident risk on dangerous drives
If you’ll be driving on the most dangerous roads and highways in Australia, here’s how to reduce your accident risk:
Avoid tailgating, distractions, multitasking and road rage while driving. This will reduce your risk of both nose-to-tail accidents (most common in QLD, NSW, the ACT, VIC, SA and WA) and collisions with a stationary object (most common in TAS and the NT).
Keep a good braking distance (a 3 second gap is a good guide), watch what cars in front of you are doing and drive to local conditions and laws.
Allow plenty of time to get to your destination and avoid driving while tired. Nationally, 28% of motor vehicle accidents in Australia occur between 1.00pm and 4.30pm. Take extra care around school zones, intersections and merging traffic.
Stay focused on the road ahead of the weekend, as Friday is Australia’s worst crash day of the week.
Remain vigilant on the roads if you’re in the most common age group for crashes in Australia, 35-49.
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident as a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist and aren’t sure what to do, our checklist can help.
How Shine can help
Our expert team at Shine Lawyers has been helping Australians for over 45 years. If you’ve been injured on the road and can prove someone else is at fault, you may be eligible for compensation through Compulsory Third-Party insurance.
We can help:
If you’ve been injured on the road in a car accident, truck accident, motorbike accident or cycling accident.
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident as a pedestrian (walking on the side of the road, on the footpath or while working on the road).
If a family member has been killed in a fatal road accident.
We'll help you understand your rights and access your entitlements on a no win, no fee* basis. *Conditions apply
Get in touch with Shine Lawyers online or by phone for an obligation-free consultation to assess your legal rights.
