Driving in Queensland can be a pleasurable experience; it does, however, come with some risks. Unfortunately, the more time you spend on the road, the higher the likelihood that something unexpected will happen to you. Hence, your chance of being injured in road incidents and suffering bodily harm increases substantially when you drive through one of the Top 10 QLD Car Accident Hotspots.
Whether you live in our great state or are visiting, knowing the statistically accident-prone zones can help you and your family stay safe on the roads. So buckle up, and let’s examine the details.
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What Road Has the Most Accidents in Queensland?
Insurance company statistics show that the Bruce Highway is the road in Queensland with the most motor vehicle accidents. Some sections are worse than others, and the Queensland police service and emergency services attend these scenes.
What are the Top 10 Common Accident Hotspots in QLD?
A car crash can occur at any time and in any location, but some areas have a higher incidence of collisions than others. Factors like bad road design, a lack of infrastructure, poor signage, persistently dense traffic and reckless driving can increase the chance of something going wrong.
Queensland is known for its stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. But sadly, some locations have gained notoriety due to their high accident rates. Here are the top 10 Queensland car accident hotspots, according to Queensland Government road crash data:
1. Bruce Highway: Caboolture
The major intersection on the Bruce Highway at Caboolture features daily congestion with people driving to and from work and between Far North Brisbane locations like North Lakes, the Redcliffe Peninsula and Bribie Island. This geographic region has featured several severe accidents, including multiple fatalities.
Any driver involved in an accident at this location is legally obligated to stop, help injured people, and provide personal information to other parties involved.
2. Gympie Rd: Chermside, Aspley and Kedron
On Brisbane’s Northside, the part of Gympie Road linking Kedron, Aspley, and Chermside is a six-kilometre triple hotspot. This section of the road features three of the worst accident locations in Queensland.
3. Bruce Highway: Between Rockhampton to Mackay
The stretch of highway between Mackay and Rockhampton is a hotspot due to high speeds and driver fatigue. Accidents frequently involve large trucks, resulting in grievous bodily harm, injury or death.
4. Pacific Motorway: Gold Coast
Despite several improvements, the Pacific Motorway frequently sees accidents due to daily congestion that forces drivers to drop speed or maintain focus in crawling traffic abruptly.
5. Warrego Highway: Toowoomba
Accidents on the Warrego Highway feature drunk driving, tree and pole collisions, rolled trucks, fires and stolen car chases. At such a time, a police officer is crucial to managing these incidents, including attending the scene and meeting legal requirements.
6. Cunningham Highway: Ipswich
Multiple on and off-ramps in this section of highway between Ipswich and Yamanto often feature single and multi-vehicle accidents.
7. Gympie Arterial Road: Bald Hills
Gympie Arterial Road features daily congestion. Motorists should know the speed limit, especially in congested areas, to maintain the safety of other road users. Remember, impatient drivers lose focus, which can result in a road crash.
8. Moggill Road: Kenmore
Moggill Road at Kenmore is a very busy location, as it is the main arterial route to many of Brisbane’s western suburbs. This road features numerous twists and turns with entering and exiting traffic and undulations. Driver focus must be maintained at all times, particularly during peak hours, to avoid harm.
9. Mount Lindesay Highway: Jimboomba
Mount Lindsay Highway at Jimboomba is a major arterial route between the Far South Brisbane suburbs of Jimboomba and Beaudesert. Despite widening this road to four lanes, multiple factors have contributed to ongoing serious traffic accidents between cars, trucks and motorcycles that have seen several deaths and multiple temporary highway closures.
10. Logan Motorway: Gailes
The section of the Logan Motorway at Gailes sits between several large multiple-lane intersections resembling interlinking strands of spaghetti (on a map). This very busy section of the road has witnessed the sad demise of multiple drivers and pedestrians. Police continue to investigate the critical circumstances of these incidents.
Famously, in 2022, many motorists were forced to sleep in their cars overnight when the motorway was closed from around 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. due to a fatal accident.
These Queensland accident hotspot locations have witnessed many accidents, making it crucial for drivers to remain cautious and adhere to traffic rules when traversing these areas.
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What Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents Are More Common?
Below is a list of the types of road accident vehicles in order of frequency:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
Remember, drivers involved in accidents must ensure they are exchanging details with other parties to comply with their legal obligations.
What is the Most Frequent Type of Collision?
The most frequent auto accident is a nose-to-tail collision, closely followed by a rear-end accident. Interestingly, about 25% of all car accidents are rear-ending or nose-to-tail impacts.
These two types of traffic accidents frequently injure the motorist in the forward vehicle, resulting in whiplash and other types of soft tissue damage. Distracted driving and tailgating are the leading behaviours leading to this type of collision.
Other common types of accidents include:
- Failure to obey traffic lights and signs
- Crashing into a stationary object
- Reversing accident
- Colliding with a parked vehicle
Queensland authorities use traffic control measures to ensure motorists’ safety and facilitate smooth traffic flow during roadworks, hazards, and special events. Still, sometimes, these measures aren’t enough to compensate for dangerous driving. Remember, in the event of an accident, you must exchange details, including the registration number, with other involved parties.
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How to Minimise Your Risk at a Car Accident Hotspot
Although you can’t determine how other drivers behave, you can take precautions to reduce your chance of an accident. Our top road safety tips include the following:
Adhering to the speed limit
Speed is a risk factor for a car accident, so adhering to the speed limit is your first action.
Stay Focused
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents, with mobile phone use being the primary factor. Stay focused on the road to lower your accident risk.
Maintain Space Between Vehicles
Driving too close to the vehicle in front is the primary cause of tailgating collisions. Always allow a safe space, as you can never be sure when traffic will suddenly stop. If the car behind you is tailgating you, see if you can allow them to pass or tap your brake lights a few times, which may cause them to back off.
Take a Break from Driving
Fatigue is a leading cause of accidents on highways. Driving for long periods, especially during hot Queensland summers, can cause a car crash, so take a break, grab a coffee, or take a quick nap.
Prioritise Road Safety at the Top Accident Hotspots
As responsible Queensland road users, we all have a legal duty of care to keep each other safe when driving. Understanding the Top 10 Queensland car accident hotspots gives us the knowledge to take extra care when travelling in these locations and following the recommended steps:
- Obeying the traffic rules
- Remaining alert
- Focus on the road and other vehicles
- Knowing the challenges of each hotspot
Remember, road safety should always be our top priority and shared responsibility when driving on Queensland roads.
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What to Do If You’ve Had a QLD Road Accident
- Contact emergency services for immediate assistance.
- Read our guide to what to do when you’ve had a road accident
- Contact our experienced car accident compensation lawyers to understand your rights.
Splatt Lawyers is a Queensland personal injury law firm that provides legal advice for people impacted by traffic collisions due to negligent driving. All our compensation legal services come with 100% no win, no fee legal funding, which means you pay nothing until you win and nothing if you lose. It’s free to know your entitlements, so contact our friendly lawyers now for a complimentary case review. Call 1800 700 125
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Queensland Car Accident Hotspot FAQs
What makes these areas prone to accidents?
Generally, accident hotspots have higher accident rates due to heavy traffic, inadequate road infrastructure, challenging conditions, lousy signage and general driver negligence.
Are there specific times when accidents are more likely to occur in these hotspots?
Accidents are more likely to happen during peak-hour traffic when the weather is bad and during the holidays when there is more traffic on major roads.
What should I do if I encounter an accident in these areas?
If you are driving a vehicle involved in an accident, first ensure your safety, then check other parties. Next, move to a safe location, contact emergency services, and assist if you can do so safely.
Are there ongoing initiatives to improve safety in these hotspots?
The Department of Transport and Main Roads monitors accident data in these accident-prone areas and regularly implements safety measures like:
• Improved signage
• Increased police presence
• And road infrastructure upgrades.
Additionally, local authorities are urging residents to plan their journeys ahead of time due to potential road closures, especially during events like the Gold Coast 500, to ensure safe and smooth operation.
How can I stay alert and avoid accidents in these hotspots?
To ensure your safety and that of other road users, please remain alert, obey traffic rules, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, avoid distractions, and adjust your driving behaviour according to road and weather conditions.
Can I use alternative routes to avoid these accident-prone zones?
Yes, please consider alternative routes to bypass these accident hotspots, depending on where you are going. We recommend you check your GPS navigation for real-time updates on traffic conditions and suggest alternate routes.