It’s safe to say South Australia has its fair share of infamous crash spots, like the hazardous Britannia roundabout near the CBD or ‘crash corner’ at Port Wakefield.

Whether you’re driving along rural roads or navigating city streets, you’ll likely come across one or more at some point. The key is knowing how to negotiate them safely.

Blackwood roundabout, Blackwood

Why it’s notorious

Although the Blackwood roundabout was upgraded last year, it’s still one of the more challenging roundabouts to negotiate in Adelaide.

In fact, the new line markings and shape of the roundabout are causing some confusion for motorists.

In the 5 years before it was upgraded, there were 29 crashes, with 10 resulting in injuries that required medical attention. Half of the 10 casualty crashes were due to a motorist failing to give way.

What to look out for

1. If you’re travelling south along Main Rd and want to go straight at the roundabout to Coromandel Pde, you can do so from the left or right lane.

However, RAA suggests motorists taking this route should stay in the right lane to avoid a possible conflict with vehicles travelling from Shepherds Hill Rd to Main Rd.

2. Motorists should always indicate when exiting a roundabout, but it doesn’t always happen.

At this intersection it’s vital, due to the size, shape and the fact that the numerous entry and exit points are at odd angles to each other.

3. Slow down when you approach, as some motorists travel through the roundabout too fast. This will give you sufficient time to analyse the situation and determine when it’s safe to make your move.

Britannia roundabout, Kent Town

Why it’s notorious

In 2013, the state government spent $3.2 million splitting the Britannia roundabout in 2 to improve safety, yet the intersection’s still 1 of Adelaide’s most common casualty crash spots.

Between 2013 and 2017 there were 237 crashes at the intersection.

Fifty of those were casualty crashes, with 1 person suffering serious injuries.

RAA road safety expert Charles Mountain said right-angle and rear-end collisions were common at the intersection due to high volumes of traffic.

“On average more than 60,000 vehicles negotiate the Britannia roundabout every day,” Mr Mountain said.

“The congestion, along with inattention and hesitation, are the main cause of crashes at the Britannia roundabout.”

What to look out for

1. As you approach the roundabout pay attention to the signs, which will help you determine the lane you need to be in depending on the direction you’re travelling.

2. Plan ahead and know exactly which road you want to enter. This is particularly important when driving southbound along Fullarton Rd to Wakefield Rd.

You’ll need to change lanes between the two roundabouts in order to make the left turn onto Wakefield Rd.

3. Treat the 2 roundabouts as 2 separate intersections. After travelling through the first roundabout, you’ll need to wait and give way to any vehicles already on the second.

Gepps Cross intersection, Enfield

Why it’s notorious

Last year, more than 3000 motorists were caught disobeying a red light or speeding by 2 safety cameras at this intersection.

That’s 30 per cent higher than the number in 2017. For this reason it’s vital to stop on an amber light, so you’re not within the intersection when opposing traffic gets a green light.

The Gepps Cross intersection also has a poor crash record. Between 2013 and 2017, 139 crashes occurred at the junction.

More than 40 of those were casualty crashes, with 1 person killed and 3 seriously injured.

What to look out for

1. Main North Rd passes through the northern suburbs to Gawler, where it becomes the Horrocks Hwy, while Port Wakefield Rd is the gateway to the Yorke Peninsula.

This creates a mixture of traffic, from suburban parents transporting their children, to grey nomads and B-doubles carrying freight.

In fact, 6500 of the 83,800 vehicles that travel through the intersection each day are trucks, making it likely that you’ll encounter commercial vehicles. Allow room between your vehicle and any trucks.

Don’t cut in front of trucks when changing lanes as this can increase the risk of crashes.

2. If you’re travelling west along Grand Junction Rd and want to turn right on to either Main North Rd or Port Wakefield Rd, there’s only one right-turn lane for both roads.

Concentrate as you turn right and don’t just follow the car in front.

3. Travelling east along Grand Junction Rd? Make sure you know which lane you need to be in. Some lanes will allow motorists to turn left onto either Port Wakefield Rd or Main North Rd, as well as continue straight along Grand Junction Rd.

Motorists need to be aware that vehicles in the same lane might be going in different directions.

Sturt Hwy/ Old Sturt Hwy intersection, Barmera

Why it’s notorious

This T-intersection has been the scene of numerous crashes over the past few years, with 2 people killed and 8 injured in 5 crashes between 2013 and 2017.

All five of the crashes were due to a motorist failing to give way as they entered the Sturt Hwy from Monash.

What to look out for

1. If you’re coming from Monash and turning right onto the Sturt Hwy, be aware that vehicles are beginning to speed up as they leave Barmera.

Be patient and give yourself enough time to safely enter the intersection.

2. As you turn right onto the Sturt Hwy, there are two lanes which merge into one.

Check your mirrors when entering, as the left lane ends and there might be cars changing into your lane at 90km/h.

3. The Sturt Hwy is a major freight route, which means trucks pass through the intersection regularly.

If you’re driving between Barmera and Berri through the intersection, beware of trucks turning right.

Adjust your speed accordingly as they might take longer to turn than other vehicles.

‘Crash corner’, Port Wakefield

Why it’s notorious

Infamously known as ‘crash corner’, the Copper Coast Hwy, Augusta Hwy and Port Wakefield Rd intersection has had its fair share of bingles.

From 2013 to 2017, there were 16 crashes at the junction, resulting in 2 deaths and 17 injuries.

Following years of RAA advocating for this intersection to be upgraded, the federal government announced last year it would allocate $72 million to fix the notorious junction, with the state government contributing a further $18 million.

A start date for the project hasn’t been announced, so motorists still need to treat this location cautiously.

What to look out for

1. This intersection can bank up with traffic, particularly when holiday goers are returning to Adelaide from the Yorke Peninsula.

Be patient, and when you reach the front of the queue, ensure the road is clear before turning right onto the Augusta Hwy.

2. If you’re turning right from the Copper Coast Hwy to Augusta Hwy, make sure you give way to traffic travelling north along the Augusta Hwy.

3. Further to that, drivers turning right from the Copper Coast Hwy should be aware northbound traffic along the Augusta Hwy travels through the intersection at 80km/h, while southbound motorists are driving at 110km/h.

Ensure you allow enough time to safely enter the flow of traffic.