Alarming spike in head-on crashes sparks car safety plea

Published date: 22 Apr 2026

New Transport Accident Commission (TAC) analysis of road trauma data has revealed a 50 per cent increase in the number of lives lost in head-on crashes on Victorian roads in 2025.

The 53 fatalities caused by head-on crashes last year was notably higher than 2024 (35), and the highest number of such incidents since 2016.

The concerning increase has prompted the TAC to remind Victorians of the importance of life-saving vehicle safety technology such as lane keep assist (LKA), which help prevent head-on and run-off-road crashes.

LKA uses cameras to detect line markings and warn the driver via a sound, visual or vibration if they are drifting out of their lane, and if a driver does not act on the alert, the technology gently steers the car back into its lane.

According to research undertaken by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, on behalf of the Victorian Government, LKA is estimated to reduce run-off-road and head-on crashes resulting in fatality or serious injury by 22 per cent.

LKA is a common feature in a wide range of new and used vehicles. With around 320,000 new and more than 500,000 used vehicles sold in Victoria each year, the TAC is urging prospective buyers to prioritise LKA, among other safety features, when purchasing a new or used car.

The easiest, quickest and most comprehensive way to check the safety ratings and features of vehicles available in the Australian market is to visit the TAC’s How Safe Is Your Car (HSIYC) website, howsafeisyourcar.com.au. HSIYC users can also enter the registration of their existing car to check its safety rating and features.

Getting drivers into the safest car they can afford is a top priority of the Government’s Victorian Road Safety Strategy, which aims to halve road deaths and significantly reduce serious injuries by 2030 and be on the path to eliminating road deaths by 2050.

To find out more about vehicle safety before you buy your next car, visit: howsafeisyourcar.com.au

Audio file interview with TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield: Download audio file here

Quotes attributed to TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield

“Head‑on crashes are claiming far too many lives on our roads, and this increase shows why choosing the safest vehicle you can afford is absolutely critical.”

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