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Road deaths and serious injuries continue to occur at an alarming rate, with Australia recording a national increase in lives lost for the fourth consecutive year for the first time since the 1960s.
RAA’s road safety experts have analysed tragic state and national road crash data for 2024, in an attempt to understand why the number of fatalities and serious injuries has increased since the mid-2010s despite vehicle technology improving.
In South Australia 91 people lost their lives and 845 were seriously injured in 2024 – a reduction on the horror 2023 that saw 117 people lose their lives and 875 seriously injured.
Other 2024 figures analysed by RAA show:
South Australia was one of only two Australian states to see a reduction in road deaths compared to its five-year average last year (-8%), however the 845 serious injuries was the second-highest figure since 2011 (behind only 2023).
The number of serious crashes means SA remains off track to reach the targets of its Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan (a 50% reduction in deaths and 30% reduction in serious injuries by 2031 compared to the 2018-2020 baseline). To be on track for those targets, SA would’ve needed to record no more than 80 deaths and 638 serious injuries in 2024.
RAA Senior Traffic Engineer Matt Vertudaches said across the country, the number of deaths increased for the fourth consecutive year, which is the first time this has occurred since the 1960s.
“At RAA we want to advocate for safer roads and safer communities – through safer roads, safer cars and safer drivers,” Mr Vertudaches said.
“Every life lost on our roads is an unimaginable tragedy that rips apart a family and community, and serious injuries often have a permanent impact on an individual’s quality of life and become a major strain on loved ones.
“That’s why we continue to raise awareness of the heartbreaking impact of road trauma.
“While last year saw less people lose their lives on SA roads than the year before, the rate of crashes across the country is alarming and should not be happening when you think about the improvements in vehicle safety that we’ve seen in recent years.
“Here in SA, we know older drivers in particular are losing their lives at a concerning rate. The 70-79 year old age group alone saw 18 lives lost – double the five-year average of nine.”
Mr Vertudaches urged drivers to take personal responsibility for the way they share the road with others.
“All road users must remember the Fatal 5 causes of road trauma – distraction, speeding, driving under the influence, not wearing a seatbelt and dangerous behaviour.
“Distraction and general complacency remain a huge impediment to reducing our rate of crashes, as we know taking your attention off the road for just a few seconds can have catastrophic consequences.
“We urge drivers to reflect on the responsibility that comes with being in control of a two-tonne vehicle at speed and sharing the road with others – as well as the tragic ripple effect that occurs in our community when someone is killed or seriously injured. “Every life lost is an unimaginable tragedy.”
Supporting statistics
SA lives lost and serious injuries: 2015 – 2024
| Year | Lives lost | Serious injuries |
| 2015 | 102 | 759 |
| 2016 | 86 | 692 |
| 2017 | 100 | 622 |
| 2018 | 80 | 576 |
| 2019 | 114 | 833 |
| 2020 | 93 | 715 |
| 2021 | 99 | 827 |
| 2022 | 71 | 703 |
| 2023 | 117 | 875 |
| 2024 | 91 | 845 |
Fourth consecutive national increase
SA rate of road trauma vs Road Safety strategy targets
