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Rear end crashes and side swipes during the morning peak period in Spring are 25 per cent and 16 per cent higher than the average of other seasons, respectively – prompting RAA calls for motorists to take more care.
The data reveals there were 16,282 crashes in Spring over the five-year period from 2018-2022, which was higher than any other season.
Further, over this period 668 rear end crashes and 270 side swipe crashes occurred in Spring between the hours of 7am and 9am.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said as the statistics showed as Spring kicks off South Australians should take more care on the road.
“Weather conditions can vary greatly through the season, all of which can affect a driver’s ability to clearly see what’s happening on the road,” Mr Mountain said.
“It is very important to always maintain a safe distance from your vehicle and the car in front of you.
“Be careful when passing cyclists – make sure you keep at least a metre away from them on our metropolitan roads when the speed limit is 60km/h or lower.
“On higher speed roads allow at least 1.5 metres when passing.”
Mr Mountain also said planning ahead and allowing additional time to get to work or school drop-off can help avoid traffic delays.
“During morning commutes, we are often concerned about getting to work or school drop-off on time which can cause us to become impatient when even a minor holdup occurs,” Mr Mountain said.
“No destination is worth risking your life and others, so always ensure you are checking your blind spots and mirrors when merging or changing lanes and don’t be tempted to run yellow lights when you could have easily stopped.
“Checking the AddInsight App or the broadcast traffic information is a good way to ensure you don’t get caught up in a major delay due to a crash breakdown or burst water main.”
The days are starting to get longer in Spring and with daylight savings not far away, the sun is brighter on the way home causing glare to become a challenge.
“Good quality sunglasses, keeping the windscreen clean inside and out, and strategic positioning of the sun visor can help you maintain a clear view,” Mr Mountain said.
“Those travelling from the Adelaide Hills or regionally to get to the city should also be cautious of any wildlife, which can be active during the day in the milder weather.”