Australia’s scariest roads to travel revealed

The most daunting roads in Australia have officially been labelled with the scariest pieces of asphalt in each state and territory, revealed.

According to new research, commissioned by Continental Tyres ahead of the Easter holiday period, the Bruce Highway in Queensland and Sydney’s Parramatta Road, were voted as some of the worst.

More than 2000 Aussie drivers were surveyed, to narrow down the top three scariest roads across each state/territory, as Continental Tyres urges drivers to prioritise essential tyre maintenance and conduct regular tyre checks before hitting the road.

Beyond troublesome roads, busy highways, and tricky intersections, the research highlights Aussie drivers' other fears when preparing to hit the road.

The majority (81 per cent) of respondents agreed that dangerous drivers are the most significant fear, followed by bad road quality (41 per cent), wet roads (34 per cent), congested roads (29 per cent), and merging (27 per cent).

And, what helps them feel safe behind the wheel? Safety technology, as it turns out, with 25 per cent of those surveyed saying things like automatic braking and traction control systems provide the most peace of mind while brakes, seatbelts, tyres, airbags, and headlights, were much lower down the list.

How many motorists are checking their tyres regularly? Not many it seems, with just 31 per cent of people surveyed saying they’ve checked their tyre tread in the last month, and 62 per cent saying they haven’t checked their tyre pressures recently.  

As many as 73 per cent of drivers surveyed said they plan on actively avoiding notoriously dangerous roads, with managing director of Continental Tyres Australia, Mitchell Golledge saying it’s saddening to see in the research that people are avoiding particular routes.

“As a tyre company we want to ensure that Aussies feel safe and confident on the road, especially ahead of long weekend road trips,” said Golledge.

“A feeling of safety imparts confidence, and tyres play a major role in a car's overall safety. While regularly checking your tyres is crucial, investing in a set of high-quality tyres will also go a long way to helping you feel secure while driving, especially in precarious conditions.”

According to Continental, Australians are advised to routinely assess their tyres for potential replacement or upgrade, including checking tyre pressures as well as overall condition and tread depth.

If you're unsure of how to check your tyres or need some help to identify wear and tear, check out carsales' comprehensive tyre safety checklist before hitting the roads this Easter long weekend.

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