Primary distributor roads (or arterials) are those which connect with the urban area or provide linkage to motorways or rural highways. They may be divided or undivided and typically have design speeds ranging from 60km/h to 80km/h. Distributor roads may be of a lower hierarchy serving a more localised circulation of traffic. Typically, they are undivided and have a design speed ranging from 50km/h to 70km/h.

These roads generally connect to surrounding road networks with unsignalised and signalised intersections and roundabouts. It is normal that all road users can access these roads though in some places access for heavy vehicles may be limited according to weight restrictions and/or curfews.

As all types of road users these roads, there is a risk that all types of crashes could occur. However, because intersection frequency tends to be higher on these roads crashes often cluster at these points.