visit raa.com.au
Road deaths in South Australia have risen by 27 per cent in the past 12 months, as new data shows Australia’s rolling annual number of lives lost has increased every month for the last three years.
New analysis from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) shows 107 people died on SA roads in the 12 months to 30 June 2026, up from 84 in the previous corresponding period – the largest increase of any state and behind only the Northern Territory.
The AAA’s report also shows 1,325 people died on Australian roads in the 12 months to 30 June 2026, with the rolling 12-month number of lives lost now increasing for 37 consecutive months.
The Commonwealth’s National Road Safety Strategy is meant to halve road deaths by 2030, but instead lives lost have climbed 20.8 per cent since the strategy began.
The AAA report shows SA’s fatality rate over the last 12 months is 5.6 deaths per 100,000 people – above the national average of 4.8.
The national data also points to concerning trends among vulnerable road users, with cyclist deaths across Australia up by 35.9 per cent.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said road trauma was a national tragedy playing out on suburban streets and country roads alike, and South Australia was not immune.
“Road trauma is a national tragedy, and unfortunately South Australia is not immune,” Mr Mountain said.
“Every one of these deaths is a family left devastated, and serious injuries also leave lifelong consequences for many victims.
“Nationally, the 12-month rolling number of lives lost has now increased for 37 consecutive months, despite a strategy that was supposed to be halving deaths by 2030.
“This analysis shows the volatility of the situation and that we are not seeing the sustained reduction in road trauma that the country is aiming for.
“We support the AAA’s call for the Commonwealth to release its mid-term review of the National Road Safety Strategy and act on the findings, rather than continuing with business as usual.
“We’re urging every driver, rider, cyclist and pedestrian to think about the Fatal 5 – distraction, speeding, seatbelts, drugs or alcohol and dangerous behaviour.
“Small changes in behaviour, from every one of us, really can save lives.”
Around 27 new schools have had the time-based 40km/h speed limit installed since the start…
Sixty people lost their lives on South Australian roads in the first six months of…
RAA has long called for smarter, more responsive traffic management and has welcomed news…