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South Australia is not on track to reach its road safety targets with 38 lives lost (including nine pedestrians), and 402 people seriously injured in the first half of the year.
Nine pedestrians lost their lives in metropolitan Adelaide in the first half of the year – a 137% increase when compared to the five-year average – according to mid-year crash data analysed by RAA.
Two thirds of these pedestrian lives lost were during hours of darkness and, alarmingly, at least one third were hit and runs.
Mid-year data for 2025 also revealed:
Across the country, five of eight states and territories have seen an increase in road deaths compared to their five-year average, with South Australia one of three that hasn’t.
However, in order to be on track to reach its Road Safety Strategy targets – a 50% reduction in lives lost, and at least a 30% reduction of serious injuries by 2031 – South Australia must record less than 75 lives lost this year and 614 serious injuries.
With 402 serious injuries sustained in the first half of 2025, South Australia is unfortunately now likely to significantly exceed the reduction target of less than 614 serious injuries.
For lives lost, SA is closer to being on track, with 38 deaths occurring in the first six months.
Nationally, no state or territory is currently on track to meet its targets under the National Road Safety Strategy, with national lives lost figures 9% higher than the five-year average.
RAA Senior Traffic Engineer Matt Vertudaches said sustained year-on-year fatality reductions are essential to meet and ideally fall below these road safety targets.
“Once again this has been a devastating start to the year on our roads,” Mr Vertudaches said.
“It is important to remember that behind every number is a real person who has either had their life cut tragically short or been mentally and physically affected by a crash.
“Every crash has a ripple effect – touching not only those directly involved but also their loved ones, local communities and the first responders who attend the scene.
“Pedestrian fatalities in the metropolitan area have spiked at an alarming rate this year and as road users, we need to do more to look out for some of our most vulnerable road users.
“With regional lives lost at a record-low in the first half of 2025, they still accounted for 55% of fatalities and must continue to be a focus for investment in road safety treatments.
“Older road users also continue to be overrepresented in these serious crashes, with drivers aged 70+ accounting for a quarter of all lives lost this year – and recording the highest fatality rate per capita of any age group.
“We all have a role to play in reducing road trauma – whether we’re behind the wheel, or as a passenger or another road user.
“While it can be difficult, it is important that families have open conversations about safe transport options for older loved ones who may be more vulnerable in a crash.”