When, where lives are most often at risk on Gympie region roads

New figures from one of the country’s biggest insurance firms reveal the most dangerous crash locations in Gympie

The Bruce Highway has been identified by insurance firm AAMI as the most dangerous roadway for crashes in the Gympie region.

Gympie motorists out for a Sunday afternoon drive on the Bruce Highway best keep their wits about them because new data shows they are more at risk of being involved in a traffic crash.

AAMI insurance figures identified nose-to-tail crashes as the most common accidents across the Gympie region in the past year, and crashes most frequently occurred on the highway during the peak hours of Sunday afternoon.

The Bruce Highway was not the only crash hotspot identified in the region, but it does connect to the two other worst areas: outside Gympie Central Shopping Centre at the highway’s intersection with Excelsior Rd, and at Monkland Street.

The stretch outside Gympie Central Shopping Centre was the second-most dangerous section of road in the region, AAMI’s data shows.

The data covered crashes in the region from January 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021.

AAMI head of motor claims Anna Cartwright said the only way to change driver behaviour was to put it under a spotlight.

“Through our claims data, we see that the majority of crash hot spots identified are generally busy major arterial roads, and those that intersect with local streets,” Ms Cartwright said.

“When you combine this with heavy traffic and frequent stopping, it is the perfect recipe for vehicle collisions.

“Regardless of the day or time, or whether you’re driving through one of the identified hot spots or just down to the local shops, every time you get behind the wheel we urge drivers to maintain focus on the task at hand, follow the speed limit and abide by all road rules.

“Most risks on the road can be mitigated if people pay attention and drive to the conditions.”