In 2020 we saw 113 people lose their lives on South Australian roads.
The death of just one person on our roads has significant repercussions and affects families and communities across the state.
SA Police will continue concerted efforts to reduce the number of lives lost on our roads and to reduce serious injury collisions.
In 2018, we saw an all-time record low of 80 lives lost on our roads compared to the highest ever recorded of 382 in 1974.
"We were very cognisant at this same time last year to remind all South Australians not to be complacent because we had only 80 lives lost on our roads in 2018. But it could be said that the message did not get through to everyone," Superintendent Bob Gray said.
"Our worst fears were realised when we look at the result from 2019.
"SAPOL, government and other agencies across South Australia involved in road safety - worked diligently and tenaciously to keep reinforcing the road safety message across the community. Notwithstanding this, nearly every life lost in 2019 could have been avoided."
Lives lost in 2019 were primarily on our regional roads resulting in around 66% and nearly a quarter of all lives lost were men over 70 years of age.
Any way you look at the lives lost during the last year, it's devastating.
12 people were aged under 20 years - making that 12 families who will tragically never see that loved one again
21 people lost their lives without even setting their foot in a motor vehicle. The representation of pedestrians in this year accounts for nearly 20 percent of road deaths.
This number was followed closely behind by motorcycle riders, 17 of whom lost their lives on our roads.
Outside of the fatalities this year we have seen over 700 road users sustain serious injuries. These are 700 road users who have had their lives affected, some with lifelong medical conditions.
Superintendent Bob Gray further said: "It is always important to also acknowledge the greater proportion of the community who actually do the right thing. It is comforting to know that many do heed the warnings to:
- Not drink or drug drive
- Not to speed
- Not to get distracted
- Not to be a dangerous road user
- And who do wear a seatbelt and ensured their passengers did the same
Trying to constantly reinforce the road safety message is a profound challenge but SAPOL is resilient and will forge forward to keep producing new and innovative ways of tackling road safety in this state".
NEW CAMPAIGN
So to move on to the New Year with optimism and hope that we can reduce the lives lost on South Australian roads in 2020, today we announce the launch of our latest Think campaign, focused on drug driving.
Superintendent Bob Gray, Officer in Charge Traffic Services Branch, said the campaign has been named 'Long after the high is gone' and is aimed at the 24% of fatalities that involve drugs as well as the numerous serious injury collisions where drugs are a contributing factor. 1 in 9 people drug tested prove positive to drugs.
"Today's launch aims to highlight the fact that drugs remain in your system well after being consumed and continue to impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle," he said.
"We don't want to see a repeat of last year's number of lives lost - so we are starting the year with a new campaign aimed specifically at drug driving."
"Road users can expect to see these ads appear on TV, radio, as well as on billboards throughout the state starting from this Sunday."
"This is just one of a range of strategies in place by police aimed at reducing the lives lost on our roads."
While the use of illicit drugs is illegal within our community, there are many alternatives to drug driving including designating a sober driver, catching a taxi home, using public transport, staying the night or arranging for someone to pick you up.
This campaign launch is the continuation of the State Government commitment to road safety. The approach uses a range of techniques including enforcement, education and infrastructure upgrades.
The message is simple, take driving on our roads seriously and avoid becoming one of those lives lost on our roads.
The first advertisement will be aired on Sunday 5 January and will run for four weeks. You can watch the videos below.
