In navigating the roads to a vast and beautiful country, it’s sometimes easy to forget that each turn of the wheel, each press of the pedal, is a responsibility we carry not just for our safety, but for the safety of others. Yet, a worrying trend has emerged, one that has seen road fatalities reach levels not seen in over a decade. It’s a trend that’s causing outrage among drivers and prompting urgent calls for change.
In South Australia alone, the start of the year has been marked by a tragic increase in road deaths, with 17 lives lost already. This figure is a stark increase from the 13 fatalities recorded by the same time last year. The statistics are grim, and they paint a picture of a nation in need of a serious conversation about road safety.
The South Australian Police (SAPOL) have been vocal about the issue, highlighting that the majority of these accidents have occurred on regional roads and involve what they term the ‘Fatal Five’ road behaviours: speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not wearing a seatbelt, driving while fatigued, and distraction. It’s the latter two that have been identified as the most significant contributors to the recent spike in deaths.
‘With distraction and speeding playing a major role in so many crashes last year, the critical message to road users across South Australia is clear—these selfish behaviours need to stop,’ said Acting Superintendent Jaimi Burns
The SAPOL has even released alarming images captured by mobile detection cameras, showing drivers engaging in reckless behaviour such as eating, using mobile phones, and even holding drinks while driving—all without their hands on the wheel.
The statistics are not just numbers; they represent lives lost and families shattered. In 2024, 11 young drivers were killed, and 155 sustained serious injuries. The toll on young passengers is equally heartbreaking, with three under the age of 16 killed and 16 seriously injured. These figures are a call to action for all of us.
The problem isn’t isolated to South Australia. Nationwide, the death toll on our roads has been rising at an alarming rate, with 1,300 fatalities in 2024, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE). This is the highest number since before the introduction of mandatory seatbelt laws in the 1960s.
The consequences of dangerous driving are not just felt by those directly involved in accidents. Last year, 91 lives were lost on SA roads, and 847 people suffered serious injuries.
Dr Chris Stokes, a road safety researcher at the University of Adelaide, has emphasised that ‘speed is a key factor in 99 per cent of crashes.’ The simple physics of speed means that the faster a vehicle is moving when it hits an object, the more severe the impact will be.
As we reflect on these facts, it’s crucial to remember that road safety is a shared responsibility. Each of us has the power to make choices that can prevent crashes and save lives. Whether it’s putting the phone away, slowing down, or taking a break when we’re tired, these actions can make all the difference.
Share your thoughts and experiences with the YourLifeChoices community in the comments below, and let’s start a conversation about how we can all contribute to a safer driving environment.
Also read: Recent data shows alarming figures on road fatalities among older drivers
How crazy can these people be? The ones who eat, mobile phone use, etc without their hands on the wheel. Whatever is wrong with their brains?
I was returning to Canberra along the Sturt Highway (just south of Darlington Point to Hume Hway), and came across a patch of dirt & roadworks just after turning into the highway. It had been very wet and the patch was about 30cm of mud. I slowed down as the signs had said, but an oncoming car (very young driver – no more than around 25 yo) came barrelling down from the opposite direction, and he didn’t slow down and spun off the road and landed in the ditch. He also sprayed me with mud, and after I got back onto tarmac, I had to clean the windscreen twice before I could keep going. I don’t know what happened, but I wasn’t going to stop in the mud, as then I could have been bogged and couldn’t get myself out.
This is what you get when you take no regard of the signage, especially the speed limit.
As a driver of nearly 50 years experience, I’ve seen it all, and have learned from my experiences.
They can’t keep blaming eating and drinking of other than alcohol for causing accidents as people have been doing this for many many years without any problems, as I have said before the problem is the continues cutting of speed limits and the appalling condition of the roads.
The basic problem: drivers consider their licence a ‘right’, not a privilege.*** Coupled with the relatively new ‘Me’ attitude, this leads to thoughtless driving and selfish behaviour.
Where did ‘acting in the best interests of the community’ (people) go to ?
*** Gov. encouraged.
As I read somewhere:-
“A Vehicle has be Roadworthy to drive on the road, but the Road doesn’t have the “Roadworthy” for the Vehicle to Drive on it” !!
This is true of a large number of Roads, both Metropolitan and Country !!