What 2025 taught us about road safety

The biggest safety lessons of 2025 – from ANCAP updates to fatigue advice – and how they can help you drive safer in 2026.

2025 brought important changes to the way Australians drive, the vehicles we choose, and the safety information we rely on. From evolving ANCAP testing to clearer fatigue guidance and more accessible road accident data, this year reshaped the road-safety landscape in practical ways.

Here’s a simple look at what shifted and what everyday drivers can take into 2026 to help keep every journey safer.

New ANCAP testing made safer cars easier to spot

The 2023–25 ANCAP protocols

pushed more preventative safety technology into the mainstream and everyday cars – from improved lane support and safer child-occupant protection to smarter speed assistance and better detection for vulnerable road users.

For drivers considering a new or used car in 2026, choosing a recent-date-stamp 5-star ANCAP rating is one of the simplest ways to benefit from the latest protective features. It’s a quick check that can make a major difference in a road accident.

Fatigue guidance got clearer

Safe Work Australia also updated its fatigue guidance in 2025 (PDF)

, offering clearer direction on recognising and managing tiredness, including during long drives. The message is simple: fatigue builds gradually, and it’s easy to underestimate.

For Australian drivers, especially during peak travel periods, some of the most effective safety habits remain unchanged: plan rest breaks, share driving when possible, avoid late-night departures, and watch for early signs like yawning or lane wandering.

Australia’s road toll stayed high

Australia’s 12-month road toll remained high

through mid-2025 (1,337 deaths to 31 May – up 4.8% year on year). Some states and territories saw higher rates on regional highways and high-speed zones. For everyday motorists, the takeaway is simple: plan rest breaks, stay alert on longer stretches, and take extra care at dawn, dusk and on unfamiliar routes where visibility and traffic conditions can change quickly.

New dashboards give drivers better insights into local risks

Crash data used to be something you only saw months later. Now, tools like the National Road Safety Data Hub

offer near-real-time insights into fatal and serious-injury crashes across Australia.

Access to clearer data means drivers can stay alert to the risks in their area, from high-traffic regional stretches to periods when crashes tend to rise. Checking these insights can help drivers make more informed decisions about when and where they travel, especially during school holidays or long-weekend traffic.

What drivers can take into 2026

• Choose safer vehicles when you can: If you’re in the market for a car, prioritise 5-star ANCAP safety ratings with recent date stamps. These vehicles carry the newest prevention-focused technology.
• Plan for long drives: Avoid late-night starts, schedule regular breaks and allow extra time on regional or unfamiliar roads.
• Stay distraction-aware: Keep mobile use, touchscreen interaction and cabin distractions to a minimum – especially in high-speed zones.
• Stay informed: Using nationally available road-safety data helps drivers understand the risks around them and plan safer trips year-round.

If 2025 taught Australian drivers anything, it’s that small safety habits make a big difference. As we head into 2026, choosing safer vehicles, planning smarter trips and staying alert on longer drives can help protect every journey. For you, your passengers and everyone sharing the road.

_Disclaimer
^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}