A growing number of Australians are modifying their driving routines in response to mounting concerns about road safety, according to a recent survey by Budget Direct Car Insurance.
The findings reveal that perceptions of danger on the nation’s roads have shifted notably over the past year, with 15% of respondents stating that roads are now “much more dangerous” than a year ago, and 37% indicating they are “somewhat more dangerous.” Only a small minority – 8% – believe that road conditions have improved.
Jonathan Kerr, chief growth officer at Budget Direct, commented on these behavioural shifts.
“Surprisingly, 15% of drivers minimise how much time they spend behind the wheel, because they think our roads are too dangerous,” he said.
The survey also found that drivers aged 28 to 37 are most likely to reduce their time on the road, with one in five in this age group reporting a decrease.
The survey explored attitudes toward various transportation modes. Motorcycles and mopeds were identified as the riskiest by 23% of participants, a sentiment matched by concerns over bicycles. Cars and e-scooters or e-bikes were each cited as less safe by 17% of respondents.
“There’s not much protection around you if you’re on two wheels, and that is reflected in this survey. Sixty-three per cent of respondents in our survey called out a form of two-wheeled transport as the least safe mode of transportation,” Kerr said.
Despite these concerns, cars remain the preferred option for most Australians, with 41% considering them the safest form of travel.
Regional differences also emerged, with 67% of New South Wales residents identifying driving as their primary mode of transport, a trend attributed to Sydney’s extensive public transport network.
The issue of road safety is reflected in recent statistics from Queensland, where over 200 road fatalities have been recorded in 2025, setting the state on course for its highest annual death toll since 2009.
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) reports that a fatal crash has occurred roughly every 29 hours this year.
“Right now, one person dies on our roads almost every day, and speeding remains the leading factor in fatal crashes, contributing to an average of 79 deaths every year,” said RACQ’s general manager of advocacy Josh Cooney.
Spring has brought a seasonal spike in rear-end collisions in South Australia, according to the Royal Automobile Association (RAA).
Data from 2019 to 2023 shows an increase in such incidents during this period, with 84 serious rear-end crashes recorded – a 33% rise compared to other times of the year.
Wildlife-related accidents continue to generate significant insurance claims, particularly in regional areas. Suncorp Group’s AAMI brand processed nearly 24,000 animal collision claims between July 2024 and June 2025, with kangaroos most frequently involved.
Victoria and New South Wales reported the highest numbers, and dusk was identified as the riskiest time for such incidents.
Other insurers, including RAC Insurance in Western Australia and RAA Insurance in South Australia, have also reported increases in animal collision claims.
