Tassie tops for hitting stationary objects

TASMANIAN drivers are the worst in the country when it comes to avoiding stationary objects, a new study claims.

The analysis of more than 8000 crashes by insurer AAMI found Tasmanian motorists were the most likely to hit things like trees, shopping trolleys and bollards.

Stationary object crashes topped the list for the most common crash in Tasmania (32 per cent), above the national average where it ranked third.

Failing to give way, rear enders, crashing while reversing and hitting an animal rounded out the top five Tasmanian crash types.

The five most common crash types nationally were rear enders, failing to give way, hitting stationary objects, crashing while reversing and hitting a parked car respectively. AAMI’s analysis covered more than 8000 accidents in Tasmania from July 2016 to June 2017.

Company spokesman Michael Mills said Tasmanian drivers were also “guilty of tailgating”.

“This is indicative of the high proportion, almost one in six, of drivers crashing nose to tail,” he said.

“Maintaining a good distance between you and the car in front is one of the most effective ways of keeping yourself and others safe, and allows additional time to stop if that car suddenly brakes.”

VIP Driving School owner Robin Eccles said it wasn’t difficult to avoid rear-enders, in fact, it was “dead easy”.

“The universal recommended space between you and the car in front is about three seconds,” he said.

“Also, never watch the back of the car in front, always look ahead ... as far as you can.”

The Hobart driving instructor said motorists hit stationary objects because either they didn’t see them or they thought they could “make it”.

“So in other words, they’re getting terribly close but instead of stopping and reversing back and having another bite of the cherry, they tend to persevere until they hit something and then say: ‘Oh, I should have backed off’ but it’s too late, the dent’s there,” he said.

“It’s always a good idea before you get into your car to have a look around to see what you could hit because kids leave bikes behinds cars, you have the telegraph poles, etc.”

Sadly hitting an animal that runs on to the road was often the safer option. But motorists should heed speed warnings in high-density wildlife areas and reduce dusk to dawn driving.

Never watch the back of the car in front, always look ahead ... as far as you can

— ROBIN ECCLES