Alarming number of Aussies were involved in car accidents in 2021

Alarming new statistics have revealed Aussies are almost twice as bad as the UK in one key area on the road.

More than one in 10 Aussies were involved in car accidents in just a year, shock new statistics have revealed.

A study into Australia’s concerning driving habits was conducted by dashcam manufacturer Nextbase, revealing surprising information about accident rates in specific states.

The figures revealed the likelihood of being in a car accident increased by around 12 per cent in metropolitan cities compared to regional areas.

The alarming car crash figures show Australians are twice as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers in the UK.

According to Nextbase, 14 per cent of Melbourne and Brisbane drivers had a car accident in 2021, far exceeding drivers across the rest of Victoria (7 per cent) and the rest of Queensland (4 per cent).

“Even though Melbourne experienced extended periods of lockdown through 2021, the rate of accidents was significantly higher than other parts of Australia,” a Nextbase spokesman said.

“Sydney saw one in ten drivers report they had an accident in the past 12 months, in line with the national average and seemingly unaffected by lockdown restrictions.”

New statistics reveal an alarming amount of Aussies were in car accidents in 2021.

“Safety on the road needs to be our priority when driving. It‘s concerning how high the accident rate was in 2021. I encourage all drivers to be mindful and aware on the roads, not only to keep yourself safe, but to keep other road users safe,” Nextbase ambassador and Supercar driver David Reynolds said.

“As traffic has returned to high levels in our cities again, I urge drivers to remain calm and patient when behind the wheel.”

A total of 1,199 people in Australia aged 18 and over answered questions online between November 26 and December 8 2021. The other countries where the survey was conducted were Sweden, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, the UK and the US.

The figures revealed the likelihood of being in a car accident increased by around 12 per cent in metropolitan cities compared to regional areas.

Nextbase’s Head of Territory for Australia & New Zealand Ben Sinica said the results were particularly concerning, considering the fact travel was at an all-time low during lockdown periods in 2021.

“It is concerning to see the high numbers of accidents for Australian drivers in the past year,” he said. “Even with lockdown restrictions, Melbourne still had a higher rate of accidents than other cities. Weather and road conditions can change quickly in Australia, so it is particularly important to protect yourself and your loved ones in traffic.”