Suncorp’s AAMI has revealed the most dangerous time and day to be on Australian roads based on its analysis of 340,00 insurance claims from July 01, 2019 to June 30, 2019.
AAMI said most road accidents occurred between 1pm and 4.30pm around school pick-up time, accounting for almost 27%, while Friday was the worst day of the week for crashes, followed by Thursday and Wednesday.
“It’s frightening that so many road accidents are happening when children, our most vulnerable and inexperienced road users, are crossing roads in large numbers and congregating near bus stops,” said Paul Sofronoff, AAMI spokesperson. “Our research suggests that too many drivers are flouting road rules and are oblivious to the dangers of speeding and driving distracted around schools, putting young lives at risk."
Despite road trauma being the number-one killer of children aged 14 and under, an Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) study found that an alarming 52% of Australian parents admit to speeding, using their mobile phone, or driving distracted while their own kids are in the car.
ARSF findings also revealed that motorists with children aged under 24 rated the worst (three in four) when it came to speeding on a regular basis, compared to 69% of parents in general and 67% of motorists without children.
“These statistics highlight a casual attitude towards risky driving behaviours, and surprisingly more so amongst parents,” said Russell White, ARSF founder and CEO. “Despite all the safety messages about slowing down around schools, some parents continue to speed in a rush to pick up their kids or beat peak-hour traffic but the consequences of this are simply not worth it. Sadly, we know that one in two Australians have been affected by road trauma, having either lost a loved one or known someone who has suffered permanent injury from a road crash.”
