AAMI Crash Index reveals worst roads for car accidents in Melbourne

A BUSY corridor in Melbourne’s north has been named Australia’s most dangerous road, as four new locations were added to the list of the city’s worst accident hot spots. SEE THE TOP TEN.

A BUSY corridor in Melbourne’s north has been named the most dangerous road in Australia, with new statistics revealing the city’s car accident hot spots.

Research from AAMI’s annual crash index shows that Plenty Rd, Bundoora has become the most common site for crashes across the nation.

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In Melbourne, Doncaster Rd, Doncaster and Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley ranked second and third respectively as congestion continues to put strain on safety and services across the city.

The figures are compiled through analysis of insurance claims from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018.

Plenty Rd was the worst spot for accidents according to research by AAMI.

AAMI spokeswoman Ashleigh Patterson said the results were the first time in five years Springvale Rd had been toppled as Australia’s most dan­gerous crash hotspot.

“Bundoora’s busy Plenty Road in Melbourne’s northeast has several lanes of traffic in both directions and is used by many commuters and locals as it feeds into several other major roads in Melbourne,” she said.

“The busy stretch of road features multiple sets of traffic lights and entry points, two of Melbourne’s main universities, as well as a key public transport connection with tram route 86 down the middle of the road making it prone to extreme congestion during peak hours.”

Doncaster Rd, Doncaster is the second worst car accident hot spot in Melbourne. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

This year there were four new entries into Melbourne’s top 10 — Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully; Springvale Rd, Nunawading; Bell St, Coburg and Wellington Rd, Rowville.

“The majority of the hot spots share commonalities in that there is a high volume of vehicles entering and exiting at multiple intersections, frequent stopping and starting, and constantly changing driving conditions,” Ms Paterson said.

“When combined, this creates plenty of opportunities for small misjudgements and lapses in concentration which can lead to serious collisions.

“Concentration is key so we are urging all drivers to be mindful of safe driving behaviours when travelling on our roads, especially when they find themselves in one of these accident-prone areas.”

Springvale Rd ranks third on AAMI’s Crash Index list. Picture: Penny Stephens

Ms Paterson said further research by AAMI showed that more than one in three people had admitted to texting behind the wheel at traffic lights.

“While it is positive that many drivers are unhappy when they see other motorists using a mobile phone when driving, an alarming number of people are still using their mobile phones while on the road,” she said.

“These are concerning findings as we know mobile use is a leading cause of driver distraction and increases the chance of misjudgements and lapses in concentration, leading to traffic collisions.”

MELBOURNE’S CRASH HOT SPOTS

1. Plenty Rd, Bundoora

2. Doncaster Rd, Doncaster

3. Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley

4. Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully (new)

5. Stud Rd, Rowville

6. Springvale Rd, Springvale

7. Chadstone Shopping Centre, Chadstone

8. Springvale Rd, Nunawading (new)

9. Bell St, Coburg (new)

10. Wellington Rd, Rowville (new)

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