Monaro Highway, Hume, named as Canberra’s worst crash hotspot |Full list

A notorious stretch of road where a young hockey player lost his life in a horrific has been named Canberra’s worst hot spot. See which other roads made the list.

The Monaro Highway in Hume has been named Canberra’s worst crash hotspot in AAMI’s 2021 Crash Index.

The index analysed data from over 360,000 insurance claims across Australia between July 2020 and June 2021.

CBR Brave Ice Hockey player Lachlan Seary lost his life on the Monaro Highway at Hume in March after being rear-ended by a drug and drink driver.

Peter Loeschnauer, 29, pleaded guilty to charges of culpable driving causing death and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in September after the horrific crash.

He is due to be sentenced at ACT Supreme court in February 2022.

ACT Policing’s officer in charge of road policing, Detective Inspector Donna Hoffmeier, described the crash as one of the “worst incidents” she had seen in her career.

CBR Brave Ice Hockey paid tribute to rising star Lachlan Seary who died in a fatal car crash on the Monaro Highway in March 2021 Picture: Facebook

According to AAMI’s data, rear-endings were the most common type of crash reported at the Monaro Highway accounting for 29 per cent of insurance claims.

Additionally five new hot spots were featured in the AAMI’s crash index for the first time; Gundaroo Drive (Gungahlin), Belconnen Way (Belconnen), Anthony Rolfe Ave (Gungahlin), Monaro Highway (Fyshwick), and Gungahlin Drive (Gungahlin).

Canberra’s worst crash hot spots, AAMI Crash Index 2021

1. Monaro Highway, Hume
2. Canberra Ave, Fyshwick
3. Gundaroo Drive, Gungahlin
4. Belconnen Way, Belconnen
5. Anthony Rolfe Ave Gungahlin
6. Monaro Highway, Fyshwick; and, Newcastle Street, Fyshwick (tied)
7. Gungahlin Drive, Gungahlin; and Canberra Ave, Griffith (tied)
8. Drakeford Drive, Kambah

While only one death has occurred at a crash hot spot between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, 11 people have died on Canberra’s roads.

Meanwhile, 2021 is fast approaching the deadliest year on Canberra's roads since 2018 with nine road fatalities recorded since January.

In 2020 there were seven road deaths in the ACT.

“When we attend a fatality, we always think of the family, how we are going to tell them and how they are going to be affected,” Detective Hoffmeier said.

“You never get used to attending fatalities, especially when they are caused by preventable reasons like speeding.

“It is hard to comprehend why drivers continue to speed when they are well aware of the serious and too often tragic consequences.”

Det Hoffmeier said speed limits existed for a reason, and pleaded for drivers to avoid drink and drug driving.

“The faster you drive, the more likely something is to go wrong, and the worse the outcome will be when that happens,” she said.

“If you plan to drink or take drugs, including cannabis, don’t drive.”

“If you do choose to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, you not only risk your life and the lives of others, you will be caught and face the full consequence of your actions.”