Canberra's worst crash spots and intersections ranked by damage done (original) (raw)

One of Canberra's busiest and most confusing roundabouts - the Parkes Way and Corranderk Street intersection - recorded the most crashes last year out of ACT's 10 riskiest intersections.

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New government data showed a total of 74 crashes at this location, including 47 rear-end crashes, 12 right-angle, and seven side-swipe crashes.

But this roundabout is absent from the government's top six black spots list, which only counts casualty-type crashes.

Although rear-end crashes are the most common on ACT roads, the most dangerous incidents usually involve a right-angle crash, a T-bone crash or a vehicle that's gone off the road.

Common crash spots and 'black spots'

Determined to find out the city's worst crash spots and black spots - The Canberra Times obtained the ACT government's latest rankings.

A government spokesman said their ranking system took into account all crashes (causing death, damage and injuries) which had more than a 5 per cent casualty rate.

He said the top 300 intersections and 150 mid-block locations were continuously monitored over two- and seven-year periods.

"Intersections, by their nature, are the most common conflict points on the road network," he said.

Intersections

Black spot rankings for intersections showed one northside location to be the deadliest.

The Barton Highway and Gundaroo Drive roundabout in Nicholls topped the government's list for fatal crashes and ranked number one on its top 10 crash spots list.

In 2024, 40 incidents were reported at this location. Of these, 16 were right-angle crashes, 15 were rear-endings, and nine were side swipes.

The Hindmarsh Drive and Yamba Drive intersection in Phillip ranked second on the black spots list with 30 crashes recorded last year.

It was followed by the intersection of Anthony Rolf Avenue, Eva West Street and Manning Clark Crescent in Gungahlin. There were six crashes reported at this location last year, and all were right-angle collisions.

Detective Acting Inspector Jonathan Turkich from the ACT police's crash investigation unit said drivers should be alert even when they have the right of way.

"By taking a moment to look, you could prevent a collision," he said.

Mid-blocks

In total, three sections of the parkway recorded 23 rear-end crashes, six same-direction swipes, and three single-vehicle crashes into an object in 2024.

Police have attended several crashes on the dual carriageway.

"Thankfully, none in the past two years have been fatal," Detective Acting Inspector Turkich said.

Detective Acting Inspector Jonathan Turkich from ACT Road Policing. Picture by Keegan Carroll

In his 20 years of driving, the officer said he had noticed more aggression on Canberra roads "than ever before".

"At all times, you should be leaving enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you ... tailgating can result in aggressive behaviour and significantly increases the likelihood of a collision," he said.

Additionally, he said driving on rural roads outside the city and suburban areas came with different risks.

Sections of two rural roads appeared to be the most dangerous and caused the most damage, according to the government's mid-block rankings.

Uriarra's Brindabella Road, between Cotter Road - Jim Bradley Crescent, ranked first in black spots and crash spots monitored over seven years.

In 2024, there were only two incidents reported on this road, and both were single-vehicle crashes.

A sign on Cotter Road. Picture by Gary Ramage

Similarly, there were three single-vehicle crashes reported on Paddys River Road, which ranked second on the top 10 crash spots list.

"To stay safe on rural, unsealed roads, the message is simple: slow down," Detective Acting Inspector Turkich said.

"Narrow, winding roads mean you have less room to avoid obstacles or other vehicles."

Detective Acting Inspector Turkich stands next to a yard containing vehicles from fatal crashes, fenced off with a black tarp. Picture by Keegan Carroll

Second on the mid-section black spots list was Mount Ainslie Drive (between Fairbairn Avenue and the top of Mount Ainslie Drive).

In third place was William Hovel Drive (between Kingsford Smith Drive/Drake-Brockman Drive and John Gorton Drive). This section recorded 19 crashes last year - seven crashes involving animals and eight rear-end crashes.

Road improvements

An ACT government spokesman said the rankings were updated every year and were used to assess the need for, and priority of, improvements under the Australian government's Black Spots Program.

"[The program] provides funding for road safety improvements at dangerous locations where crashes are occurring or at risk of occurring," he said.

"The Black Spots Program has specific crash criteria that apply when funding is sought to upgrade intersections, mid-blocks and road lengths."

He said "Vision Zero", meaning zero deaths or serious injuries on Canberra's roads, was the main philosophy guiding the ACT government's approach to road safety.

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