Adelaide Hills police operation catches thousands of speeding drivers

Barry Schultz lost his beloved brother decades ago in a motorcycle crash – and the lasting emotional toll is still real and raw.

It’s been 43 years since Barry Schultz lost his brother to a motorbike accident.

While some say time heals all wounds, this has not been the case for the 60-year-old who says his brother’s death still had a profound impact on his family four decades on.

It’s the reason the Largs Bay local has thrown his support behind Operation Safe Hills, an SA Police campaign targeting speeding motorists.

“My brother’s name was Brian, he was 21 and he died in 1978,” Mr Schultz said.

“It was a long time ago but it’s still relevant as he’s still not here.

“We were a family of seven boys and my mother was a widow pensioner, so we did it tough getting brought up.

“But there was always love and companionship until we lost one of our own and that was a very sad time for our family.”

Barry Schultz, pictured on the road to Mt Lofty Summit, lost his brother in 1978 to a motorcycle crash. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Mr Schultz, who himself had two crashes during Sunday rides in the Hills, said debris, visibility and poor road conditions were among the top dangers for motorbike riders.

“My message to motorbike riders would be to ride as safely as possible,” he said.

“If you really want to go fast and see what your bike can do – and we all like to go fast at times – do it on a racetrack.”

Nineteen lives have been lost on Hills roads this year with six of those being motorcycle riders – two were recorded during the first month on Operation Safe Hills, which launched in October.

One fatal crash was on Old Norton Summit Rd, Teringie on October 23 and the other at Signal Flat Rd, Ashbourne on October 2.

Since October 1, 2523 drivers or riders have been detected for a speeding offence, with 2468 of those detected speeding up to 29 km/h over the limit.

A further 45 drivers or riders were detected speeding 30-44 km/h over the limit and ten were caught speeding 45 km/h or more over the speed limit.

Of the 2523 detections, 76 were from motorcycles with 67 of them speeding up to 29 km/h over the limit.

There were nine motorcycles detected speeding between 30 and 44 km/h over the limit.

Superintendent Bob Gray said speeding in the Hills was a perilous issue.

“The statistics are absolutely staggering,” Supt Gray said.

“How many people need to die or sustain life-changing injuries before drivers and riders start to change their attitudes and their behaviour?”

Operation Safe Hills will run continuously until the end of April 2022, targeting the seasons when recreational motorcyclists are drawn to the Hills.

“Those who get caught and fined are the lucky ones,” Supt Gray said.

“If an expiation makes a driver or rider think twice about speeding next time they’re out, this could literally save their life or the life of another innocent motorist who comes in their path.”