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Some of South Australia’s most popular tourism regions saw a concerning increase in fatal crashes last year, prompting an RAA road safety warning ahead of the long weekend.
Holiday hotspots the Barossa, Fleurieu/Kangaroo Island and Limestone Coast all saw increases in lives lost in 2024 compared with the five-year average (2019-2023), according to crash data analysed by RAA:
By comparison, other regions, including the Murray and Mallee (-56%) and Yorke and Mid North (-49%), saw significant reductions in lives lost in 2024.
Typically the most common crash types on regional roads are hitting fixed objects (33% of crashes), roll overs (19%) and head-on collisions (19%) – highlighting the dangers of being distracted behind the wheel.
Ahead of the long weekend, RAA Senior Traffic Engineer Matt Vertudaches said road users should be extra cautious on SA roads, especially in regional areas, where 70% of lives were lost in South Australia last year.
“Driving on regional roads brings increased risks due to the higher speeds and long distances,” Mr Vertudaches said.
“We’re calling on all road users to prioritise safety by driving to the conditions, adhering to the speed limits, avoiding distractions like mobile phones, and ensuring you’re well-rested before driving this long weekend.
“Distraction, speeding, and fatigue continue to be the leading causes of road trauma.
“If you’re driving long distances this weekend, try to share the driving if possible and, if you can, avoid travelling at night when you would otherwise be sleeping.
“Every life lost on our roads is a horrific tragedy, and serious injuries put major strain on individuals involved and their loved ones as well.
“We want everyone to enjoy their holidays this weekend and return home safely.”