Crash claim figures show Canberra drivers more courteous than average

The latest AAMI Crash Index report found while nose-to-tail crashes were the most common on ACT roads, Canberra drivers were below the national average for accidents caused by failing to give way.

Almost one in three - 31.4 per cent - of incidents across the region were a result of drivers creashing into the back of another vehicle.

More than one in 10 involved hitting an animal - double the national figure.

The second most common claim, accounting for a quarter of crashes in the ACT and Queanbeyan, involved a vehicle hitting a stationary object.

Figures for this crash type were slightly higher than the national average and accounted 25.36 per cent of all claims.

AAMI surveyed 4090 drivers from across Australia as part of the study. Only one in five considered themselves to be an impatient driver, nearly 60 per cent admitted to exceeding the speed limit on occasion.

"With nearly one in three attributing their speed to taking their eye off the speed limit, it reinforces that concentration is key for all drivers," AAMI spokesperson Jake Krausmann said.

And it appears familiarity with the area doesn't reduce the importance of safe driving as more than 79.2 per cent of all accident insurance claims occurred within 25 kilometres of the driver's house.

Mr Kraussman said the top five crash types were, unfortunately, common, despite many of them being avoidable.

"We have busy lives and daily schedules. As a result, we can be prone to distractions and impatient driving behaviours like tailgating, merging in and out of lanes and accelerating through changing traffic lights," he said.

The ACT region had double the rate of accidents involving animals so Mr Krausmann urged drivers to remain on the lookout.

"Wildlife is unpredictable and can appear out of nowhere, so it's important to slow down and be aware of your environment, particularly inside sign-posted wildlife areas."