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Murray Bridge, Whyalla and Mount Gambier are the worst hotspots for fatal and serious crashes behind the city, according to crash data analysed by RAA on the eve of school holidays.
Between 2013-2022, 184 people were either seriously injured or lost their lives on roads in the city of Adelaide – the worst suburb for casualty crashes in SA.
The next three locations were all regional towns: Murray Bridge, Whyalla (both 64) and Mount Gambier (63).
Other suburbs that saw a high number of crashes included McLaren Vale (53), Prospect (47) and North Adelaide (46).
In the first half of this year, 77% of lives lost have been in regional areas – up from the 10-year average of 66%.
The data has prompted an RAA road safety warning ahead of the school holidays – with South Australian families set to flock to the state’s regions from this weekend.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain reminded drivers of the Fatal 5 causes of road trauma.
“Around two-thirds of all lives lost are on regional roads each year, so South Australians preparing to head away for the school holidays need to keep safety front of mind,” Mr Mountain said.
“Regional roads are generally high speed, where a small lapse in concentration or moment of distraction can have catastrophic consequences.
“The areas of Murray Bridge, Whyalla and Mount Gambier and McLaren Vale all in the top five locations for serious crashes.
“If you’re heading away, please adhere to the speed limit, take regular rest breaks and share the driving if you have multiple drivers in the vehicle.
“Remember the Fatal 5 causes of road trauma – distraction (including using any function of a mobile phone while driving), excessive speed, not wearing a seatbelt, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and dangerous road user behaviours.”
| Rank | Suburb or town* | Serious Injuries | Lives Lost | Total |
| 1 | ADELAIDE | 177 | 7 | 184 |
| 2 | MURRAY BRIDGE | 55 | 9 | 64 |
| 3 | WHYALLA | 57 | 7 | 64 |
| 4 | MOUNT GAMBIER | 60 | 3 | 63 |
| 5 | MCLAREN VALE | 47 | 6 | 53 |
| 6 | PROSPECT | 42 | 5 | 47 |
| 7 | NORTH ADELAIDE | 45 | 1 | 46 |
| =8 | MORPHETT VALE | 38 | 3 | 41 |
| =8 | SALISBURY | 38 | 3 | 41 |
| =8 | STRATHALBYN | 38 | 3 | 41 |
| 11 | NURIOOTPA | 33 | 6 | 39 |
| 12 | HAPPY VALLEY | 34 | 5 | 39 |
| 13 | MOUNT BARKER | 36 | 2 | 38 |
| 14 | PARALOWIE | 36 | 1 | 37 |
| =15 | PORT LINCOLN | 33 | 3 | 36 |
| =15 | VICTOR HARBOR | 33 | 3 | 36 |
| 17 | VIRGINIA | 29 | 5 | 34 |
| 18 | NORWOOD | 31 | 3 | 34 |
| 19 | GLENELG NORTH | 32 | 2 | 34 |
| 20 | PORT ADELAIDE | 27 | 5 | 32 |
*Regional towns may include multiple suburbs – e.g. Murray Bridge includes the suburbs of Swanport, Long Flat, Avoca Dell, Riverglades and Northern Heights.