Australia’s most common car accidents revealed in the AAMI Crash Index

According to the annual AAMI Crash Index, one in four accidents across the country are caused by failing to give way and one in five accidents are caused by colliding with a stationary object.

AAMI spokesperson Ms Ashleigh Paterson said the Crash Index data proved a timely reminder to motorists ahead of the festive season to pay more attention behind the wheel and ensure impatience does not get the better of them.

“Driver distraction continues to be the leading cause of car accidents in Australia and these common accident types are generally caused by people taking their eyes off the road or trying to multi-task while driving,” Ms Paterson said.

“If you are behind the wheel of a car, you should be concentrating on what’s in front of you, what’s happening around you, and driving to the conditions.

“Taking your eyes off the road for just a split second can have devastating consequences and even the smallest distraction can be deadly. It’s just not worth the risk.”

Analysis of AAMI’s claims data, covering more than 360,000 accidents across Australia from July 2017 to June 2018, showed that the most common crash types are: 

Accident type	National	VIC	NSW	QLD	WA	SA	TAS	ACT	NT
Nose-to-tail collision	31%	33%	31%	30%	28%	25%	17%	32%	19%
Failed to give way	23%	25%	26%	19%	18%	21%	18%	18%	14%
Collision with stationary object	18%	16%	17%	22%	23%	24%	29%	19%	31%
Collision while reversing	12%	12%	11%	13%	14%	12%	13%	12%	12%
Collision with a parked car	8%	9%	7%	8%	8%	10%	11%	7%	7%
Hit an animal	6%	4%	6%	7%	6%	8%	11%	11%	13%
Other*	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	2%	1%	3%

*Other claims relate to head on collisions, collisions with a pedestrian or cyclist, under body damage only, roll over and goods falling from vehicle. 

“Victorian motorists are involved in more nose-to-tail collisions compared to motorists across the country, which is often linked to ‘tailgating’ in highly congested areas during peak travel periods.

“Maintaining a good distance between you and the car in front is one of the most effective ways of keeping yourself and others safe, as it allows additional time to stop if the car in front brakes suddenly.

“New South Wales motorists are more likely to be involved in prangs from failing to give way compared to drivers in the rest of the country, which can often be linked to impatient driving and lapses in judgement.

“The biggest difference we saw at a state level compared to the rest of the nation was the amount of collisions with a stationary object. One in three collisions (31 per cent) in the Northern Territory are with a stationary object compared to 18 per cent of all collisions nationally.

“While most accident types increased year-on-year, pleasingly the percentage of accidents caused by collision with a stationary object and collision with an animal decreased when compared to previous years.”

The morning commute from 9.30am-1pm was the second most common time with 24 per cent of all crashes occurring, followed by the evening peak from 4.30pm-8pm with 20 per cent of all crashes happening then.

Friday was also found to be the most common day of the week for car accidents with nearly one in five (16 per cent) of all accidents occurring then. In contrast, only 10 per cent of accidents occur on a Sunday, making it the day people are least likely to have an accident.

“We are encouraging all drivers to avoid distractions like mobile and digital devices, expect the unexpected from other occupants on the road and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.”

Safe Driving Tips

• Avoid distractions like mobiles and digital devices 
• Expect the unexpected from other occupants on the road
• Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you

For more information about AAMI, head to www.aami.com.au