Princes Highway Audit 2005

Key findings of the survey

• The overall crash and casualty rates have decreased by 18 per cent and 22 per cent respectively since the 2002 audit.
• The number of curves signposted on the route has risen from 272 to 408 since 2002.
• The worst performing section of the route based on crash rates with both the crash and casualty rate more than 60 per cent above the route average is Shellharbour local government area.
• The best performing section is in the Wollongong local government area with crash and casualty rates 25 per cent and 43 per cent below the route average.
• The risk of being injured due to a crash is consistently high from Yallah to Bega.
• Since 2002, the percentage of road with shoulders with less than 1m has increased from three per cent to 53 per cent.
• Overtaking was prohibited for 36 per cent in 2002 and has increased to 52 per cent.
• Pavement condition has deteriorated from 95 per cent good to 92 per cent good.
• There has been an increase in the number of speed cameras, centre barrier line marking and curve warning signs along the route.
• Generally the route has a poor vertical and horizontal alignment with insufficient overtaking opportunities.

Top Five Blackspots (NSW definition) based on crash rates

• Snowy Mountain Highway, Bega
• Belinda Street, Gerringong
• Island Point Road, Tomerong
• Meroo Road, Bomaderry
• Sussex Inlet Road, Wandandian

Top Five Blackspots (Federal definition) based on crash rates

• Snowy Mountains Highway, Bega
• Belinda Street, Gerringong
• Beach Road, Batemans Bay
• McMillan Road, Narooma
• Islands Point Road, Tomerong

NRMA believes that the Princes Highway between Sydney and the Victorian border is a significant route and questions why the Princes Highway south of Wollongong is not part of the Australian Government's AusLink network. 

Significant funding injections are needed from both the State and Australian governments for works on the Princes Highway due to the scale of works and limitations such as topography.

How do the local government areas compare?

Wollongong (55.0km)
100 per cent has divided carriageway
100 per cent has safe overtaking opportunities
28 per cent poor shoulder conditions
Crash Rate 22.7MVKT

Shellharbour (11.5km)
69 per cent has one lane in each direction
31 per cent has safe overtaking opportunities
35 per cent poor shoulder conditions
Crash Rate 54.2MVKT

Kiama (23.6km)
1 of the top 5 Blackspots
64 per cent has one lane in each direction
36 per cent has safe overtaking opportunities
21 per cent poor shoulder conditions
Crash Rate 44.7MVKT

Shoalhaven (125.1km)
3 of the top 5 Blackspots
79 per cent has one lane in each direction
21 per cent has safe overtaking opportunities
32 per cent poor shoulder conditions
Crash Rate 34.1MVKT

Eurobodalla (106.9km)
84 per cent has one lane in each direction
15 per cent has safe overtaking opportunities
29 per cent poor shoulder conditions
Crash Rate 31.8MVKT

Bega Valley (149.6km)
The number one Blackspot is located in the Bega Valley
88 per cent has one lane in each direction
12 per cent has safe overtaking opportunities
25 per cent poor shoulder conditions
Crash Rate 26.8VKT