10 most dangerous aussie cities to drive in during rush hour research 20241204 p5rodc.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Only one capital not on the list of top 10 most dangerous cities in peak hour

Zara Zadro

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New data has revealed the 10 most dangerous Australian cities to drive in during rush hour.

A total of 39 per cent of all road accidents occur during rush hour, the data by Vehicle provider Right2Drive also found, with the afternoon peak of 3pm-7pm proving significantly more dangerous than the morning rush of 6am-10am.

Read on to find out which city topped the list. 

Attribution: Nine
10. Perth, WA
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10. Perth, WA

Coming in 10th for the most dangerous Aussie city to drive in during rush hour, the Western Australian capital is the site of 0.637 accidents per 100 people.

Right2Drive blames the city's highly dispersed layout, meaning commuters have a heavy reliance on cars.

WA, including Perth, also has some of the highest urban speed limits nationwide, possibly contributing to the road dangers.

Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
9. Adelaide, SA
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9. Adelaide, SA

Adelaide boasts 0.687 accidents per 100 people during rush hour, coming in just above Perth in terms of road danger.

While smaller than Sydney and less congested, Adelaide's urbanised areas and poor drainage or road surface issues due to extreme heat could explain its higher accident rate during rush hour.

Attribution: Getty
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8. Sydney, NSW
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8. Sydney, NSW

Sydney ranks lower on this list than some may expect.

As Australia's most populous city, it's the site of 0.707 accidents per 100 people during rush hour, likely due to highly congested roads, ongoing road repairs, and significant tourist foot traffic.

However, the city's lack of rural roads and more developed infrastructure are likely responsible for reducing the number of accidents, according to Right2Drive.

Attribution: Getty
7. Gawler, SA
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7. Gawler, SA

Barely beating Sydney, the semi-rural town of Gawler in northeast Adelaide ranks seventh on this list with 0.710 accidents per 100 people.

Rural roads can be more dangerous as rural and regional areas typically have less investment in road infrastructure, leading to poorer road conditions, Right2Drive says.

Attribution: Nine
6. Bendigo, VIC
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6. Bendigo, VIC

This pretty gold rush boom town is the sixth most dangerous place in Australia to drive during rush hour thanks to its varied road conditions.

With 0.906 accidents per 100 people, Bendigo's narrow rural roads, wildlife hazards, and dust storms, as well as lacking public transport system, all contribute to dangerous driving conditions.

Attribution: 6. Bendigo, VIC
5. Brisbane, QLD
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5. Brisbane, QLD

The sunny Queensland capital is the site of 0.928 accidents per 100 people during rush hou.

The city's reliance on large major roads, as well as vulnerability to extreme weather conditions like flooding and tropical weather, and ongoing roadworks can pose a challenge for drivers.

Attribution: Getty
3. Hobart, TAS
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3. Hobart, TAS

The picturesque Tassie capital frequents 1.350 accidents per 100 people during rush hour, making it the second most dangerous Australian capital city on this list.

Limited public transport along with less developed road infrastructure may explain these accident rates.

Attribution: iStock
1. Darwin, NT
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1. Darwin, NT

Darwin is the most dangerous Australian city to drive in during rush hour, meaning Melbourne is the only Aussie capital that doesn't make this list.

Experiencing 2.560 accidents per 100 people, the city's dangerous roads could be attributed to its role as a mining, offshore oil, and gas production hub, which brings large industrial vehicles onto the roads.

Extreme weather conditions such as monsoon seasons (November to April) and tropical cyclones, as well as wildlife hazards, can also make roads treacherous. 

Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
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