New data highlights shocking amount of dangerous drivers in the South East

Data has revealed the extent of the region’s road safety issues, with drivers forking out a staggering amount in speeding fines and being caught under the influence almost daily.

South East motorists have forked out a whopping $1.6m in speeding fines in the past 12 months, while a driver is caught under the influence almost once a day, new data has revealed.

The police stats reveal 3187 drivers were booked for speeding in the past year in the region, with a further 977 receiving a caution.

A total of 322 motorists were busted either drink or drug driving – almost one a day – while 220 drivers were caught running red lights and 159 sprung driving unlicenced.

Wider statistics show in the past five years, 12,822 drivers were caught speeding in the Limestone Coast local service area, with fines totalling just over $3m.

The data comes as the South East recorded an eighth fatal road crash for 2022 on Sunday and a fifth in just over a month.

This is compared to just three deaths at the same time last year.

The horror run on the roads prompted the Limestone Coast’s officer in charge Superintendent Campbell Hill to issue a stark rebuke to dangerous drivers and “bystanders” who did nothing to prevent them.

RAA senior manager of safety and infrastructure Charles Mountain said the data highlighted how “common” police were dealing with dangerous driving.

“We don’t want to see this pattern continue in the Limestone Coast or any other parts of our regional areas across South Australia for that matter,” he said.

“Eight people have lost their lives this year already.”

Officer in Charge of the Limestone Coast Superintendent Campbell Hill. Picture Emma Brasier

Supt Hill said police were coming across “idiots” on the road weekly and called on “bystanders” in the community to step up to stamp out the behaviour.

“We are speaking to people who are saying, ‘we’re not surprised’ — it really infuriates us,” Supt Hill said.

“If we were talking about people that were going out to commit sexual assault in the community – people who are going out to murder – I’ve got no doubt that these same bystanders would be contacting the police.

“Using drugs and recklessly driving every week, going out and doing burnouts, driving drunk from a local sporting club home – it's the same thing.

“Bystanders really need to have a think about the part they’re playing in keeping not only their family and friends safe, but everybody else in the community as well.”

Supt Hill was also critical of hoon drivers who spin their tyres and drift around residential streets.

Mr Mountain said hoon drivers endangered themselves as well as the public, as the laws of physics will take the vehicle where it wants to go regardless of the objects in its path.

“When their tyres are spinning — it basically means that you’re not making traction with the road surface,” he said.

“If the wheels suddenly catch traction, then the vehicle can dart off and you can lose control.”