Shocking report prompts driver warning

With more Australians exploring regional and rural areas this long weekend, there is new warning for drivers with research revealing 90 per cent of fatal crashes involving a car and truck occur outside major cities.

Research from Australia’s largest transport and logistics insurer, NTI Ltd, also found in remote and regional areas, in 88 per cent of fatal crashes involving a car and truck, the car driver was at fault.

NTI CEO Tony Clark said with interstate and international travel restricted due to COVID-19 border closures, more Aussies are hitting the road these school holidays, bound for regional Australia.

“Many people are choosing to drive to coastal and country areas, and we want to alert drivers of the need to be extra vigilant behind the wheel in remote and regional locations,” Mr Clark said.

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“While drivers might be inclined to relax once they’re out on the open highway, these roads represent the highest risk environment with all but one of the fatal crashes in 2019 analysed by NTI occurring in 100km/h or faster speed zones.

“Quite simply, travel outside of the city occurs at these higher speeds. This means that not only are the consequences of any incident likely to be more catastrophic, but emergency services and medical care are also less accessible.”

Mr Clark said there were aspects of driving on regional and remote roads that differed from metro areas.

“These roads are often long and straight with consistent scenery over long distances. Drivers need to ensure they’re taking a break every two hours to avoid becoming fatigued.

“It can be very dark driving when there are no streetlights, and vision can be impaired if you’re driving into the sun or looking into the headlights of oncoming vehicles, so try to plan your trip around daylight hours.

“Car drivers also need to remember to give trucks plenty of space and avoid risky manoeuvres like overtaking unless it’s absolutely safe to do so.”

NTI’s full 2020 NTARC Report can be found here. 

NTI’s research is backed by Australian road toll data which shows driving in regional and remote areas is up to nine times more dangerous than driving in major cities.