Canberra Avenue has taken the dubious title of having the most motor vehicle accidents in the ACT, according to new data from insurer AAMI, which also indicated that the most common type of car accidents in the Territory were nose-to-tail collisions, accounting for 67 per cent of crashes.
Mondays were also the worst day on the road for accidents, especially during the afternoon period.
The AAMI Crash Index, which analysed 350,000 accident insurance claims across the country from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020, shines a light on the territory’s most dangerous roads to encourage drivers to remain safe and vigilant while behind the wheel.
There were six new entries in Canberra’s top ten, including Drakeford Drive at Kambah, which is the fourth most likely location for a crash. Other new hotspots include Haydon Drive at Bruce, the Federal Highway at Watson and the Barton Highway at Hall.
While there had been a decrease in the number of crashes during the COVID-19 lockdown, numbers returned to normal very quickly.
AAMI spokesperson Paul Sofronoff said the top two locations in Canberra have a long history fighting over the top spot.
“The top two locations have been battling it out for the number one spot for some time. Canberra Avenue at Fyshwick previously held the dishonourable crown as Canberra’s worst crash hotspot for three years from 2015 to 2017 with Hume’s Monaro Highway at number two, before swapping rankings for 2018 and 2019,” he said.
“In 2020, Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick has taken back the crown, but it isn’t really something for locals to celebrate.”
The AAMI Crash Index also found the afternoon hours between 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm were the worst times for crashes.
The information comes as ACT Policing launched a new road safety campaign, highlighting the need for drivers to slow down. More than 900 people were caught speeding in the ACT in July, and 85 were caught speeding in a school zone.