Those deaths accounted for almost 70% of the national road toll, even though only about a quarter of Australians live in those areas.

The ARSF report points to driver complacency as a leading cause of risky behaviour on familiar country roads, with many motorists believing they can break rules safely because they know the route.

Peter Kalbfell’s own crash in outback Queensland in 2000 illustrates this. After a long holiday drive, he and his girlfriend felt too comfortable, ignored fatigue, and he unbuckled his seatbelt – an action that led to serious spinal injuries when the car rolled over.

ARSF president Russell White says drivers must take more personal responsibility and that simple techniques can help break the habit of complacency, though he did not detail exactly what those techniques are.

Driver‑psychology specialist Ioni Lewis adds that safety campaigns need to focus on regional audiences, because the data show that complacency – not unfamiliarity with the road – is driving many of the crashes.