New stats reveal the worst time and day for crashes in SA, and who might be hitting your car

New data has revealed the most common type of crashes in SA, when they are happening, and who might be behind the wheel.

South Australian drivers taking to the road on a Friday afternoon are more likely to be involved in a crash than any other time or day, new data has revealed.

A breakdown of the 2025 AAMI Crash Index reveals Friday is the worst day on SA roads, with drivers one per cent more likely to crash than Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, and five per cent more than Sunday.

Getting behind the wheel in the afternoon puts you at greater risk of crash than any other time of day, with 28 per cent of crashes happening, while 26 per cent of crashes happen in the morning.

The safest time to be on the road in South Australia is in the early morning, with only three per cent of crashes happening during these hours — but not too early, as eight per cent of drivers are crashing around midnight.

AAMI Motor Prevention Manager Mary Kennedy said for 30 years the AAMI Crash Index had been used to educate drivers on the importance of safe driving habits and avoiding those that lead to accidents.

Police and Emergency services attended a car crash on the cnr of Franklin Street and West Tce earlier this month. Picture: Emma Brasier

“We know through our claims data that Friday continues to be the worst day of the week, and afternoons are the most dangerous time on our roads, which is why we are sharing these insights in the hope of creating safer roads for everyone,” she said.

When it comes down to the worst drivers, the data shows that nationally, men are more likely to crash than women, but SA’s divide is bigger than most.

Male drivers are 58 per cent more likely to crash than women in SA, the same statistics as Western Australia, and only overshadowed by the Northern Territory where they are 60 per cent more likely.

Car and a bus crashed on Currie Street in Adelaide earlier this year. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

Drivers over the age of 65 are also more likely to be involved in a crash, while those from the ages of 25-34, and 35-44, are the second most likely crash victims.

In South Australia, the most common crashes are nose to tail at 28 per cent, collision with a stationary object close behind at 26 per cent.

A total 18 per cent of crashes are from drivers failing to give way, while seven per cent are from hitting an animal, higher in SA than all other states and territories except Tasmania and the ACT.

The Crash Index also reveals 11 per cent of South Australian drivers turn off or dial down safety features including lane correction warning or assist, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning.

The biggest reason for drivers turning features off is out of annoyance or distraction.

Originally published as New stats reveal the worst time and day for crashes in SA, and who might be hitting your car