When and Where Australians Are Most Likely to Crash: Key Findings from AAMI’s Decade of Driving Report

A new report from Australian insurance provider AAMI has revealed surprising insights into when, where, and how Australians are most likely to experience car accidents. The Crash Index, which includes a Decade of Driving Report based on 10 years of motor claims data, provides a detailed look at the nation’s most crash-prone times, locations, and types of accidents. The findings may challenge common assumptions about road safety.

The Most Crash-Prone Days and Times

According to the report, Friday is the most dangerous day to be on the road, with 28% of claims occurring at the end of the working week. Thursday and Wednesday follow closely, while Sunday is the safest day, just ahead of Saturday.

In terms of timing, afternoons between 1pm and 4:30pm are the most dangerous times for crashes across the country, with the next most risky periods being 9:30am to 1pm and 4:30pm to 8pm. These coincide with school pickups and the busy period when people are rushing home or to other destinations.

However, there's an exception to this trend: in the Northern Territory, mornings are the most hazardous time to be on the road. Leah James, AAMI’s motor claims manager, highlighted that these peak times often correspond with drivers being tired, impatient, and dealing with heavy traffic, particularly around schools.

Common Types of Crashes

The data also highlights the most common types of crashes in Australia. Leading the list are nose-to-tail accidents, which account for 26% of all claims. These are particularly frequent in states like the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia.

However, in South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, the most common type of collision is with stationary objects, such as trees, barriers, and poles. In New South Wales and Victoria, the second most common accident type is failing to give way, responsible for 19% of claims.

Parking accidents are also prominent, with 17% of claims involving damage to cars while parked.

Drivers Most Likely to Crash

AAMI’s report also provides insights into driver demographics. Males are more likely to be involved in accidents than females, with a 54 to 46% split. Meanwhile, drivers aged 65 and over are considered the most dangerous on the road, contributing to 26% of claims nationwide. The only exceptions are in the ACT and Northern Territory, where drivers aged 35 to 44 were responsible for more accidents.

Australia's Most Dangerous Roads

The report also ranks Australia's most dangerous roads, with Plenty Road in Bundoora, Victoria, taking the top spot as the most crash-prone road in the country.

Animal Collisions on the Rise

Animal collisions are also a concern, with Canberra ranking as the top hotspot for animal-related crashes, followed by Goulburn (NSW) and Heathcote (VIC). The top 10 list also includes Dubbo, Cooma, and Mudgee in New South Wales, among others.

The report identified kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats as the most common animals involved in collisions, along with domestic animals like dogs and larger animals like deer and cows.

Key Takeaways for Road Safety

AAMI’s Decade of Driving Report reveals several important trends that could help improve road safety across Australia. Drivers should take extra caution on Fridays, particularly in the afternoon, and be aware of the risk of nose-to-tail accidents. For those in the Northern Territory, morning drives are particularly risky, and all drivers should be mindful of the increased likelihood of animal collisions, especially in rural areas.

With these insights, drivers can make more informed decisions to keep themselves and others safe on the road.