visit raa.com.au
The intersection of Marion Rd and Sturt Rd is still Adelaide’s worst for casualty crashes according to RAA’s latest list of Adelaide’s Most Dangerous Intersections – as the Britannia Roundabout falls out of the top 10.
The state’s peak motoring body has analysed the last five years of crash data and revealed which intersections saw the most casualty crashes (crashes where at least one person is injured or killed).
Between 2019 and 2023 there were 36 casualty crashes at the junction of Marion Road and Sturt Road – seeing it maintain the title as Adelaide’s most dangerous for the third year in a row.
Right-turn crashes and rear-end crashes are the predominant crash types representing 56% and 33% of casualty crashes at the intersection respectively, with at-fault vehicles often approaching from Marion Road (north- or south-bound).
RAA Senior Manager Road Safety Charles Mountain said RAA wants to ensure South Australia has safer roads, safer drivers and safer communities.
“Our priority is to advocate for safer roads on behalf of our 820,000 members to help reduce road trauma and hopefully save lives on our roads,” Mr Mountain said.
“The intersection of Marion and Sturt Road is extremely busy and has filter-right turns on the Marion Road approaches – where cars turning onto Sturt Road are required to move into the intersection and wait for a gap in traffic to turn right,” Mr Mountain said.
“Errors in judgment when turning right are causing the majority of serious crashes at the site – which should be a reminder to drivers that they need to wait for an appropriate gap in traffic and not get complacent.
“Given this intersection has consistently ranked as one of the worst in Adelaide for casualty crashes in recent years – we would support the State Government looking at it in detail to consider whether any improvements could be made.”
The list also reveals the notorious Britannia Roundabout – previously the worst intersection for casualty crashes for several years – has fallen out of the top 10 to sit in 11th spot. It’s seen 21 casualty crashes in the last five years, compared to 35 from 2014-2018.
The second-worst intersection in Adelaide is the Curtis Road / Peachey Road intersection in Munno Para, which saw 32 casualty crashes in the five-year period.
Seven of the top 10 were located north of Adelaide, where rapidly growing suburbs are seeing an increase in traffic volumes.
Mr Mountain said RAA had been advocating for more funding to address traffic concerns in the area – particularly on Curtis Road which has been a consistent recommendation in RAA’s State Budget submissions.
“RAA’s most recent State Budget submission called for funding to duplicate and upgrade Curtis Road, which continues to cause safety and congestion concerns for local motorists,” Mr Mountain said.
“We look forward to seeing the Government’s plans to address this site and area more broadly as part of their Northern Adelaide Transport Study.
Mr Mountain also urged drivers to show extra care at busy intersections.
“Drivers should remember to reduce their speed in busy traffic, leaving a safe gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.
“When turning right ensure you look for all oncoming/crossing traffic including pedestrians/cyclists, as well as making sure the road you’re turning into is clear.”
Adelaide’s Most Dangerous Intersections – 2019-2023
| Rank | Intersection | Total casualty crashes | AADT |
| 1st | Marion Rd / Sturt Rd | 36 | 80,900 |
| 2nd | Curtis Rd / Peachey Rd* | 32 | # |
| 3rd | Main North Rd / Regency Rd** | 30 | 68,700 |
| 4th | Main North Rd / Montague Rd | 28 | 67,100 |
| 5th | South Rd / Henley Beach Rd | 26 | 74,350 |
| 6th | The Grove Way / The Golden Way** | 23 | 42,100 |
| 7th | Main North Rd / Curtis Rd / Craigmore Rd** | 22 | # |
| 8th | Briens Rd / Grand Junction Rd / Hampstead Rd* | 22 | 62,850 |
| 9th | Bridge Rd / McIntyre Rd | 22 | 59,400 |
| 10th | Marion Rd / Henley Beach Rd | 21 | 46,950 |
| 11th | Britannia Roundabout (Fullarton Rd / Kensington Rd) | 21 | 60,700 |
| 12th | South Rd / Daws Rd | 21 | 75,050 |
| 13th | Main North Rd / Kings Rd / McIntyre Rd* | 21 | 75,250 |
| 14th | Payneham Rd / Lower North East Rd / Glynburn Rd / Montacute Rd | 20 | 59,850 |
| 15th | Stebonheath Rd / Womma Rd* | 20 | # |
| 16th | Main North Rd / Grand Junction Rd / Port Wakefield Rd | 20 | 83,050 |
Notes