By Laura Michell
Plenty Road, Bundoora, has been named as Victoria’s most unsafe road for the fourth year in a row.
The 2021 Crash Index, released by insurer AAMI reveals the busy arterial is still the state’s crash hotspot, despite recent upgrades to the road.
The annual AAMI Crash Index analysed more than 360,000 motor insurance claims across Australia from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, to reveal the top 10 crash hotspots in each capital city.
AAMI head of motor claims Anna Cartwright said Plenty Road had several lanes of traffic in both directions, multiple sets of traffic lights and entry points and a tram line running through the middle, creating the “perfect storm” for collisions.
“Even outside of peak hours there are many hazards which make it daunting to drive, which is why it’s so notorious as a hotspot for accidents,” she said.
“There’s a lot going on along this section of road and given its history with our crash index and the number of vehicles which travel through it daily, we’re not shocked to once again see it in the number one
spot.”
In recent years there has been work done at Plenty Road to improve safety and reduce accidents. AAMI data shows positive signs, with a steady decline in crash numbers in this location in recent years.
“As a long-time advocate for road safety, we have shared our AAMI Crash Index insights with the Victorian government to assist their work on improving road safety at this hotspot,” Ms Cartwright said.
“Our data played a key role in identifying the need to trial a reduced speed limit, from 80km/h to 70km/h, along Plenty Road in Bundoora from January to July, 2021.
“We will continue to work with the government in hope our data inspires more safety initiatives like this trial, as anything we can do to reduce the number of accidents on this road should, and needs to, be done.”
AAMI’s analysis found that crashes on Plenty Road were most likely to occur during the morning commute on Tuesday and Thursday and involve males aged between 35-49.
The most common collision was nose-to-tail, according to the insurer.
Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn, was named as the state’s fifth most likely crash location, up from ninth place last year.
Cooper Street, Epping, and Sydney Road, Campbellfield tied for sixth place on the crash index.
This year is the first time Sydney Road in Campbellfield has made the index, while Copper Street’s ranking fell from fourth place last year.
Ms Cartwright said the top 10 hotspots shared some commonalities.
“All of our Melbourne top 10 are major arterial roads intersecting with local streets through high traffic industrial and shopping precincts, meaning they’re busy around the clock and used by vehicles great and
small,” she said.
