Melbourne contains nine of the nation’s 10 worst car crash hotspots, according to AAMI.

The insurer’s annual Crash Index, based on more than 394,000 motor claims last year, finds Pennant Hills Road at Carlingford, Sydney, is the only non-Melbourne location in the top 10.

Springvale Road in Glen Waverley has overtaken Plenty Road in Bundoora as Australia’s No.1 crash hotspot for the first time in eight years.

The crash report follows recent research by the Insurance Council showing Melbourne is the nation’s worst area for car crime.

AAMI says nose-to-tail collisions remain the most common crash type (28% of claims), followed by failure to give way (23%) and hitting stationary objects (22%).

The insurer’s motor prevention manager, Mary Kennedy, says the leading crash spots “all share similar traits – heavy traffic, multiple lanes, traffic lights, major intersections, shopping precincts and constant turning movements, where even a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to a crash.

“Most claims aren’t high-speed collisions. They are everyday bingles … which means they are also among the most preventable.”

Some key findings in the report include:

• Late mornings (between 9.30am and 1pm) are the peak period for crashes.
• Fridays record the highest number of incidents, followed by Mondays.
• Male drivers and drivers over 65 are the most prone to crashes.
• The top three makes involved in crashes are Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai.
• The top three vehicle colours are white, grey and silver.

Ms Kennedy said: “Mornings and Fridays are peak prang periods nationally, when school pick-ups, commuters, shoppers and heavy traffic all converge. It is a timely reminder to slow down mentally as much as physically, stay patient and avoid distractions.”

AAMI has also analysed behaviour among more than 50,000 motorists using its Driver Rewards app. Drivers have scored highly for speed compliance and avoiding phone distraction, but are weaker on acceleration, braking and cornering.