“Driver fatigue is a factor in one in five road fatalities, so we encourage motorists to take regular breaks on long trips, ideally 15 minutes every two hours,2 and never continue driving if they’re feeling tired,” Mr Gallagher said.
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NRMA Insurance claims data shows more than 69,000 motor collision claims have been lodged in 2026, with rear-end collisions the most common crash type, followed by failure to give way incidents, reversing accidents, collisions with stationary objects, single-vehicle crashes and animal collisions.3
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Mr Gallagher said while some crashes are unavoidable, many incidents can be prevented through simple safe driving behaviours.
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“Even the safest and most experienced drivers can be involved in a crash. A momentary lapse in concentration, hesitation or overconfidence can have life changing consequences.” he said.
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“If you’re travelling this long weekend, give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Arriving a little later is always better than not arriving safely.”
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What to do if you’re involved in a car accident
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If you’re involved in an accident, here’s what to do
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- Ensure your safety: make sure you’re out of harm’s way and if there’s an injury or hazard, call triple zero.
- Gather details: the more, the better. Ask for the full name, address, licence and insurance details and of the other driver, and take note of the make and model of the other vehicle. If there were witnesses, get their name and phone number too.ke photos:
- Take photos: possible, take photos to document the damage and location of the incident.
- Organise a tow: if your car isn’t safe to drive (or you’re unsure) organise a tow.
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“It’s well established that traffic incidents increase during long weekends as more people travel longer distances and spend more time behind the wheel.
“Driver fatigue is a factor in one in five road fatalities, so we encourage motorists to take regular breaks on long trips, ideally 15 minutes every two hours,2 and never continue driving if they’re feeling tired,” Mr Gallagher said.
NRMA Insurance claims data shows more than 69,000 motor collision claims have been lodged in 2026, with rear-end collisions the most common crash type, followed by failure to give way incidents, reversing accidents, collisions with stationary objects, single-vehicle crashes and animal collisions.3
Mr Gallagher said while some crashes are unavoidable, many incidents can be prevented through simple safe driving behaviours.
“Even the safest and most experienced drivers can be involved in a crash. A momentary lapse in concentration, hesitation or overconfidence can have life changing consequences.” he said.
“If you’re travelling this long weekend, give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Arriving a little later is always better than not arriving safely.”
What to do if you’re involved in a car accident
If you’re involved in an accident, here’s what to do
- Ensure your safety: make sure you’re out of harm’s way and if there’s an injury or hazard, call triple zero.
- Gather details: the more, the better. Ask for the full name, address, licence and insurance details and of the other driver, and take note of the make and model of the other vehicle. If there were witnesses, get their name and phone number too.ke photos:
- Take photos: possible, take photos to document the damage and location of the incident.
- Organise a tow: if your car isn’t safe to drive (or you’re unsure) organise a tow.
