Operation Safe Hills catches more than 13,000 drivers speeding with motorbike riders among worst offenders

A staggering 13,784 motorists were caught speeding in the Adelaide Hills during a six-month long crack down. Eight lives were lost in the same period.

A six-month-long police operation in the Adelaide Hills has nabbed more than 13,000 drivers exceeding the speed limit, with motorbike riders among the worst offenders.

Operation Safe Hills, which launched in October last year and concluded on April 26, detected a staggering 13,784 drivers or riders travelling above the speed limit, with 676 of them being motorcycles.

Devastatingly, eight lives were lost on Hills roads during the same six-month period, and 57 motorists sustained serious injuries.

Motorcycle riders accounted for two of the lives lost, including a 68-year-old man from Ridgehaven who collided with the back of a bus on Paracombe Road on February 3.

An additional 19 motorcyclists also sustained serious injuries, as well as a pillion passenger.

Among the worst speeding offenders were a motorbike rider who was detected travelling 90kmph over the speed limit at Greenock on February 14.

Two separate riders were also caught travelling 78kmph over the speed limit at Balhannah on November 8 and on April 16 in Paracombe.

Superintendent Bob Gray, Officer in Charge Traffic Services Branch, said the number of people ignoring the dangers of speeding was astounding.

He said police issued 42 drivers with an immediate loss of licence during the operation.

“For every death or serious injury there is a whole community of people who are affected,” Supt Gray said.

“The decision to ignore speed limits that are put in place for everyone’s safety is selfish and stupid.

“Every crash affects families, emergency service workers, schools, workplaces, passers by – the impacts are far reaching and it is just foolish to think that you can drive above the speed limit safely.”