Melbourne roads with most crashes listed

A notorious road in Melbourne’s north east has been named Australia’s most dangerous crash hotspot for a sixth year in a row, but there are others among the worst.

Mitch Clarke

@96mitchclarke

2 min read

September 13, 2023 - 1:27PM

A car accident on Plenty Rd, which has been named the worst in Australia for crashes.

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A notorious road in Melbourne’s north east has been named Australia’s most dangerous crash hotspot for a sixth year in a row.

The annual AAMI Crash Index, which analysed more than 350,000 motor insurance claims across the country between July 1 2022 and June 30 2023, has again identified Plenty Rd in Bundoora as the nation’s biggest crash site.

The most dangerous time of the week to be driving down Plenty Rd was on Thursdays between 1pm and 4.30pm, with nose-to-tail collisions the most common cause of crash.

AAMI’s Head of Motor Customer Engagement, Tammy Hall, said the busy thoroughfare had become a “repeat offender” thanks to its reputation of being congested and feeding into many other main roads.

Police and emergency services at a fatal car crash on Plenty Rd in Bundoora. Picture: David Crosling

“If you speak to anyone who travels regularly along this busy stretch of road, and they will tell you that it’s not uncommon to see accidents, almost daily,” she said.

“There is a lot happening along this multi-lane road, including traffic from two major universities, a high school and tram lines. There is also a lot of student accommodation, catering to international students attending La Trobe University, with students making up a large proportion of drivers on Plenty Rd.”

A 10-kilometre speed reduction along the notorious road has led to less crashes and is in line with a 26 per cent drop in motor accident claims from that site when compared to the 2019 financial year.

“We know that even small reductions in driving speed has the potential to greatly reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities, so we’re thrilled to have seen less crashes as a result of the permanent speed reduction along Plenty Road in Bundoora,” Ms Hall said.

The data also revealed that male drivers in Melbourne (58 per cent) were significantly more likely than females (42 per cent), and the worst offenders were drivers aged between 35 and 49.

Melbourne’s second most dangerous road was Springvale Rd in Glen Waverley for the second year, followed by Maroondah Hwy in Ringwood, Doncaster Rd in Doncaster and Craigieburn Rd in Craigieburn.

Dandenong Rd at Chadstone and Burwood Hwy at Burwood also emerged as new crash hotspots.

Ms Hall said it was no surprise these sites were listed as danger zones given their proximity to shopping centres, education hubs and industrial precincts.

Nose to tail collisions were the most common type of accident on both metropolitan and regional roads, with Friday afternoons the most prevalent crash time.

Ms Hall said tailgating, driver distraction and potentially road rage were key factors for the bungles.

“Bumper to bumper collisions often happen during peak hour traffic when the roads are busy, patience is wearing thin, drivers are tired from the day, and are in a rush to get to their destination,” she said.