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South Australians are being urged to drive safely this festive season – the fortnight which has seen more fatal crashes on our roads than any other over the last five years.
Last year there were eight fatal crashes in the last two weeks of December – the worst festive season on our roads since 2019.
In an alarming trend, there have been almost three times as many fatal crashes on our roads in the last two weeks of the year – 31 fatal crashes across 18-31 December compared to 12 fatal crashes in fortnight before it (December 4-17) over the last five years.
It makes the weeks leading up to Christmas and to New Year the deadliest fortnight on our roads.
Of the 31 festive season fatal crashes that have occurred since 2019:
RAA Senior Manager Road Safety Charles Mountain urged road users to look out for each other over the next few weeks.
“Crash data shows the last fortnight of the year has been the most dangerous on our roads recently,” Mr Mountain said.
“It’s an exciting time as many of us finish work and school for the year, and start to catch up with family and friends or head on holiday – but it’s not a time to get complacent on our roads.
“Any life lost on our roads is an unimaginable tragedy – especially at a time of year that should be one of celebration – so we’re urging all road users to take care and be patient when travelling over this period.
“Vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians are involved in almost half of fatal crashes at this time, and there will be plenty out and about with the warm weather.
“More than two thirds of fatal crashes over the festive season have been on high-speed roads, so take extra care if you’re driving regionally or at speeds that give you less time to react to something unexpected.
“We recommend leaving extra time for your journeys so you’re not tempted to speed and are in a relaxed state of mind behind the wheel.
“Take regular rest breaks, share the driving if possible and avoid driving at night to fight fatigue on long trips.
“Let’s buck the trend and have a fatality-free festive season on South Australian roads.”