Australia faces rising road fatalities linked to distracted driving

Road fatalities in Australia have increased for four consecutive years, according to the federal transport department. Experts and researchers suggest that inattention is becoming a primary cause of accidents on Australian roads, as current safety laws struggle to keep pace with advanced in-car screen technology.

A 2024 Griffith University survey commissioned by the Australian Automobile Association found that distracted driving accounted for 16 per cent of accidents, noting that phone use while driving can decrease reaction times by 18 per cent. Furthermore, a 2022 Victorian survey indicated that 52 per cent of drivers used handheld mobile phones for various tasks while driving.

New research from insurer Allianz suggests the impact of distraction may be significantly underestimated. Analyzing data dating back to the 1990s, the research indicates that distraction could be responsible for as many as 33 per cent of accidents, a much higher figure than previously reported.