Australia warns drivers of wildlife hazards as road crash trend rises

A new NRMA report shows that 1,333 Australians died on the roads in the year to April 2026, a 3.4 % increase on the previous year. Rear‑end collisions were the most common claim type, while tailgating offences in South Australia rose 25 % above a nine‑year average. Wildlife incidents also surged, with more than 15,000 animal‑collision claims in 2025 – 84 % involving kangaroos – a 21 % jump from 2024.

Transport for New South Wales has launched a four‑week “Animals on Country Roads” safety campaign (June 1‑30). Between 2016 and 2025 the state recorded 26 fatalities and over 1,250 injuries from animal‑related crashes, with kangaroos accounting for 44 % of deaths. Officials urge motorists to slow down, avoid swerving, and report injured wildlife to WIRES.