Revealed: SA’s shocking COVID-19 driving habits

Many South Australians are taking life-threatening risks on the road during the state lockdown, with police warning they will not tolerate bad behaviour even during quieter conditions.

Exclusive: A startling number of Australian drivers have admitted to driving dangerously under a belief they are safer during lockdown conditions.

Fresh data from Australia’s Road and Safety Foundation (ARSF) obtained by News Corp found one in four motorists were taking risks during the COVID-19 lockdown.

It also revealed two thirds believe roads are now safer, while almost one fifth admitted they were speeding more.

Adding to the concern, nine per cent said they were using their mobile phone more often when behind the wheel than before lockdown restrictions were implemented.

The survey of 1000 motorists also found five per cent they were running red lights or stop signs more frequently, while three per cent admitted to driving after a few drinks.

With many resources re-directed towards COVID-19 operations and for public safety, police in WA, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland stopped high-volume booze bus testing - with some states publicising this.

SA Police are still targeting bad driving behaviour during the COVID-19 lockdown. Picture: AAP

Mobile speed camera operations were also reduced in some states.

But with restrictions lifting, police across the country are returning to business as usual.

The data from ARSF marks the launch of their Fatality Free Friday campaign, which urges motorists to drive safely on May 29 and any other time they head out on to the road.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack threw his support behind the initiative: “Road safety is of vital importance to each and every Australian.”

“We all know someone who has lost their life on the road.

“This is so tragic. Fatality Free Friday reminds us of just how important road safety is.”

The research also showed drivers’ attitudes across the states.

A quarter of South Australian drivers polled admitted to engaging in risky driving behaviour since the coronavirus restrictions were rolled out.

Almost 60 per cent believed the state’s roads were safer under current conditions, with almost a sixth confessing to speeding more often.

More than a tenth were more regularly using a mobile phone when driving, while five per cent were running red lights or stop signs.

The survey data also revealed worrying habits of South Australian motorists under regular conditions.

Four in five drivers admitted to breaking a road law, with one in five admitting to speeding on a weekly basis.

A fifth of respondents said they had driven over the legal alcohol limit, and two fifths had used their mobile phone while behind the wheel.

Traffic Services Branch officer-in-charge Superintendent Bob Gray said now was not the time to be complacent, and police were out there around the clock targeting bad driving behaviour.

“The world looks very different right now, but road safety is still the same,” Mr Gray said.

“We all still need to take responsibility for our own actions and remember that choosing to drink or drug drive, becoming distracted, speeding, driving dangerously or not wearing a seatbelt, is a selfish and potentially life threatening decision.

“It will never be a choice that we will accept or tolerate.”

ARSF CEO Russell White warned there was no excuse for risky driving behaviour.

“Sadly, with fewer cars on the roads during coronavirus, we’re seeing an increase in bad driver behaviour, which is unacceptable,” Mr White said.

“Road trauma at any time is tragic, but it’s also largely preventable. While our incredible frontline medical and emergency services are already working harder than ever, is that text message or few extra minutes worth adding extra pressure on these resources?”

“For every road death, another 35 Australians are hospitalised. Don’t let a split second decision change your or someone else’s life forever.”