Victoria’s worst crash black spots by suburb and most dangerous time to drive

The most dangerous roads in Melbourne have been named, with one in the northern suburbs among the worst in Australia for crashes.

Despite the state having the strictest road rules, and residents spending most of the year in lockdown – a busy corridor in Melbourne’s north has been named as one of the nation’s dangerous roads in Australia.

Insurance giant AAMI analysed data from more than 360,000 accident claims in the 12 months to June 30, which included the pandemic lockdown.

This was the first time Darwin was included in the annual index, which claimed four of the top five black spots.

It is the fourth year in a row Victoria’s Plenty Rd has been named the state’s most unsafe, despite recent road works to minimise risks.

For the fourth year in a row Victoria’s Plenty Rd has been named the state’s most unsafe. Picture: David Crosling

“Even outside of peak hours there are many hazards which make it daunting to drive, which is why it’s so notorious as a hotspot for accidents,” AAMI’s Head of Motor Claims Anna Cartwright said.

“There’s a lot going on along this section of road and given its history with our Crash Index and the number of vehicles which travel through it daily, we’re not shocked to once again see it in the number one spot.”

Nose-to-tail crashes remain the most common on Plenty Rd, while Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9.30am and 1pm are dangerous times for motorists.

Inattention and peak-hour frustrations were also “a real recipe for disaster”.

“All of our Melbourne top 10 are major arterial roads intersecting with local streets through high traffic industrial and shopping precincts, meaning they’re busy around the clock and used by vehicles great and small,” Ms Cartwright said.

“Motorists need to pay full attention and adhere to the basics like maintaining a safe distance behind the car in front and always being aware of what is happening around you.

“All it takes is for you to take your eyes off the road for a split second for things to go wrong.”

National statistics show that road deaths have increased by more than 5 per cent in this year, with the toll sitting at 1,142 deaths – an increase of 55.

In September, the national road toll was 84 deaths, down by the average of 94 deaths for the same month.