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Drivers not seeing red at school crossings

17 May, 2023

As RAA continues its ‘elephant in the room’ campaign this National Road Safety Week, new data shows the number of South Australian drivers caught running red lights at pedestrian crossings has risen by almost 25 per cent in the last four years. The data also shows which crossings in SA recorded the most offences.

In 2022 there were 4,636 offences for disobeying red light signals at pedestrian crossings, up an alarming 24.3 per cent from 3,729 in 2019, according to SA Police data.

The figures obtained by RAA also revealed that two eastern suburbs school crossings recorded the most offences – one on Portrush Road (near Linden Park Primary) and Kensington Road (Marryatville Primary School).

RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said the data showed many drivers were not showing due care around our most vulnerable road users.

“Pedestrian crossings are designed to provide a safe location for crossing the road, and it’s alarming to see the number of drivers disobeying the signals is increasing,” Mr Mountain said.

“These mid-block crossings are put near schools on major roads for good reason, and it is essential that drivers obey the red-light signals to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences.”

Mr Mountain also said the fixed camera fines cost South Australian motorists a total of $2,795,978 last year.

“Many of these red-light offences may be due to inattention or distraction, which is one of the Fatal 5 causes of road trauma in South Australia.

“This National Road Safety Week, RAA is raising awareness of the Fatal 5 and asking all road users to consider their behaviour on the road, amid our alarming fatality and serious injury numbers this year.”

Throughout the week, RAA is placing five-metre tall, colourful, inflatable elephants at prominent locations around metropolitan and regional South Australia – each representing one of the Fatal 5.

The ‘Fatal 5’ causes of road trauma in South Australia are:

  • Distraction (including mobile phones)
  • Speed
  • Dangerous road users
  • Not wearing a seatbelt (or child restraint)
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Total fixed safety camera red light offences at pedestrian crossings – as reported by SA Police

YearNo. offencesFines (incl. VOC levy)
20193,729$                      1,997,903
20203,081$                      1,705,266
20214,596$                      2,719,267
20224,636$                      2,795,978

Fixed safety camera red light offences at pedestrian crossings 2018-2022 – worst locations – SA Police

 Site addressRed Light OffencesRed Light Fines (incl. VOC)School(s) within 200m
1Portrush Rd, LINDEN PARK2914$1,647,836Linden Park Primary School 
2Kensington Road, KENSINGTON PARK2231$1,243,360Marryatville Primary School 
3Goodwood Rd, GOODWOOD1599$892,993Goodwood Primary School 
4Diagonal Rd, GLENELG EAST1303$730,027Glenelg Primary School 
5David Terrace (Level Crossing), KILKENNY1237$693,347 
6Marion Road, ASCOT PARK1112$650,186Ascot Park Primary School 
7South Rd, BLACKFOREST946$529,876Black Forest Primary School 
8Cormack Rd (Level Crossing SE), DRY CREEK916$501,336 
9Portrush Rd/Phillips St, KENSINGTON805$455,039St Joseph’s Memorial School, Saint Ignatius’ College Junior School, Mary MacKillop College 
10Torrens Rd, WOODVILLE NORTH730$405,312Woodville High School 
11Park Terrace Pedestrian Crossing (East), SALISBURY703$413,780 
12Park Terrace (West), SALISBURY701$397,456 
13St Bernards Rd, MAGILL691$384,736Morialta Secondary College 
14South Rd, MARLESTON560$311,338Richmond Primary School, Warriappendi School 
15Philip Hwy Pedestrian Crossing541$304,124Playford International College, Kaurna Plains School 
16Marion Rd, MARION530$294,983Hamilton Secondary College 
17Portrush Rd/Watson Ave, TOORAK GARDENS509$282,166Loreto College 
18Portrush Rd, TRINITY GARDENS453$256,080Trinity Gardens School 
19Prospect Road, PROSPECT396$222,119Blackfriars Priory School 
20Woodville Rd (Level Crossing), WOODVILLE381$212,596 
21Shepherds Hill Rd, EDEN HILLS349$194,793Bellevue Heights Primary School 
22Bains Rd, MORPHETT VALE306$173,458Antonio Catholic School 
23Beach Road, MORPHETT VALE299$174,802Calvary Lutheran Primary School 
24Diagonal Road, WARRADALE275$152,737Warradale Primary School 
25Seacombe Rd, SEACOMBE HEIGHTS237$133,700Seaview High School, Darlington Primary School 
26Commercial Rd, SALISBURY (Level Crossing E)194$108,178 
27South Rd, CLOVELLY PARK177$99,636St Bernadette’s Primary School 
28Stephen Terrace, WALKERVILLE119$68,886Walkerville Primary School 
29Regency Rd Pedestrian Crossing115$63,756Challa Gardens Primary School 
30Ascot Avenue, VALE PARK57$33,402Vale Park Primary School 
31Hancock Rd, ST AGNES46$26,386St Agnes School