Brisbane traffic: Worst roads and driver habits revealed

SIX lanes of stop-start traffic and driver inattention have made one road Brisbane’s worst accident hotspot.

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SIX lanes of stop-start traffic and driver inattention have made Ipswich Rd in Annerley Brisbane’s worst accident hotspot.

The busy southside route has risen from sixth place to claim the unwanted title in a study by insurance company AAMI, based on claims in the year to the end of July.

Mains Rd in Sunnybank and Gympie Rd at Chermside remain in second and third spots in the annual Crash Index.

“Ipswich Rd is a main thoroughfare for commuters from the southwest suburbs, travelling into the CBD, which will only increase with the growing population in these areas,” AAMI spokesman Michael Mills said.

“The road has multiple entry points and traffic lights which cause motorists to frequently stop and start. This environment causes plenty of opportunities for small misjudgements and lapses in concentration which can lead to a serious collision.”

Mr Mills said Gympie Rd, which had been in the top five for several years, continued to be a problem, with heavy vehicles adding to the high volume of traffic travelling between the city and Brisbane’s northside and the Sunshine Coast.

Waterworks Rd in Ashgrove and Moggill Rd at Indooroopilly are new entries to this year’s list.

Ipswich Rd at Annerley has emerged as Brisbane’s worst accident blackspot.

Mr Mills urged motorists to be particularly mindful when travelling in known accident-prone areas.

“Concentration is key, especially when travelling in heavy traffic,’’ he said. “It’s important to leave enough room between you and the car in front, keep to the speed limit and avoid distractions like mobile phones.’’

AAMI’s study of driver behaviour found that 45 per cent of motorists believed distraction was one of the biggest dangers on the road.

But over a third – 38 per cent – admitted it was hard to resist the temptation to check their own phones.

“One in five drivers would text while stationary at traffic lights if they could get away with it and one in four would have a conversation on loudspeaker with their phone in their lap,’’ Mr Mills said.

One in seven motorists said they would be comfortable using a GPS system with the smartphone in their lap.

RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said the findings highlighted the ongoing “disconnect’’ between what people knew was dangerous and how they behaved.

“A lot of people do recognise that distraction and mobile phone use is a problem — but too many believe it’s not a problem for them, that it’s one law for everyone else and one for them,’’ she said.

“We need to wake up to ourselves. Put the phone somewhere away out of reach. Avoid the temptation.’’