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More motorists are caught speeding in summer than any other season, RAA has revealed.
This has prompted RAA to call for drivers to stick to the speed limit in an effort to reduce road trauma.
Almost 20 per cent more motorists were caught on fixed speed cameras during summer than winter, the season with the lowest number of offences, police figures from the past five years show.
January is the worst month of the year for speeding offences, with an average 8311 drivers caught, followed by December with an average 7909 offences since 2016.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said the number of lives lost already this year was a tragedy which could only get worse.
“Sadly 92 lives were lost in the first 11 months of this year, and if the December fatality average of the past three years is repeated this month the state’s annual fatalities are on track to exceed 100,’’ he said.
“We all know speed can kill, and latest research by the Centre for Automotive Safety Research at Adelaide University shows speeding contributes to almost one in five fatal and serious injury crashes on SA roads.
“Even speeding at less than 10km/h over the limit can contribute to fatal and serious casualty crashes, the report released last month revealed.’’
Mr Mountain said there could be a couple of reasons speeding offences spike in summer.
“It may be that people are rushing around preparing for Christmas and also heading out on driving holidays,’’ he said.
Mr Mountain said all road users had a part to play in reducing the rate of road trauma on the state’s streets and highways.
“This includes avoiding the fatal five: speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and driving under the influence, distracted or dangerously,’’ he said.
“We know many people drive to holiday destinations for their summer holidays, so we urge them to make sure they drive to the conditions, plan regular rest breaks and put their safety and that of other road users at the top of their driving agenda.’’