The Monaro Highway in Hume has been named the worst crash hotspot in Canberra for a second year running by the 2019 AAMI Crash Index.
“The Monaro Highway carries a lot of heavy vehicles, local traffic, as well as travellers driving into and through Canberra to other locations. This can lead to traffic congestion, frustrated drivers and increased crashes,” said AAMI Head of Motor Claims, Anna Cartwright.
On a positive note, the number of car accidents on the Monaro Highway at Hume did reduce by more than 20% from 2018 to 2019.
Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick again took out second spot on the list, with the stretch of Monaro Highway passing Fyshwick rounding out the top three.
“The top two locations have been battling it out for the #1 spot for some time as Canberra Avenue at Fyshwick previously held the dishonourable crown as Canberra’s worst crash hotspot for three years from 2015 to 2017 and Hume’s Monaro Highway was always #2.
“In fact, these two stretches of road both have at least 75% more crashes on them compared to the #3 spot on Canberra’s list,” Ms Cartwright said.
There were six new entrants to AAMI’s crash hotspots list for Canberra this year.
With the Monaro Highway in Hume and Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick holding their places from 2018, Monaro Highway at Fyshwick at number three, and Benjamin Way at Belconnen in number four were new; Gundaroo Drive, Gungahlin dropped from third in 2018 to fifth this year; followed by new entrants from places six to nine: Northbourne Avenue, Canberra; Barton Highway, Hall; Mugga Lane, Symonston; and Anthony Rolfe Avenue, Gungahlin; while Gungahlin Drive, Gungahlin dropped from fifth to 10th.
AAMI’s list is the result of analysis of more than 340,000 motor accident insurance claims across the country from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.
AAMI Behavioural Economist, Phil Slade, said car accidents more commonly occur when a driver is less than 10 kilometres from home.
“When drivers are close to home, or on a familiar route, they can get too comfortable, and find themselves daydreaming or getting distracted.
“Driver distractions such as mobile phones and digital devices are big issues, because they take away from your ability to react,” Mr Slade said.
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