NSW Insurance Claims For Merging Accidents Up By 11 Percent: NRMA

NEW DATA released by NRMA Insurance show that claims for accidents caused in merging traffic have increased by 11 percent over the past three years in metro and greater Sydney.

The Homebush Bay Drive area saw the greatest increase, with a 56 percent rise in merging-related collisions over the past three years. Of all collisions in other areas, merging accidents accounted for on average seven percent of all claims.

Research conducted by NRMA also shows that almost 35 percent of NSW motorists are unfamiliar with the correct road rules when two lines of traffic are required to merge into one. A further 20 percent don't know the correct road rule moving from one lane to another in regular traffic.

The data and research follows an audit by NRMA Motoring and Services in March, which found 73 percent of 124 merging locations in Sydney to have incorrect, poorly-located or missing signage.

The audit identified both the M5 east outbound and citybound entries from Marsh Street as two of the worst merging locations for motorists.

Other areas singled out included Southern Cross Drive southbound entry from General Holmes Drive before the airport tunnel, and The M4 westbound entry from Concord Road.