Police launches Operation Fatal Distraction, targeting distracted drivers
Distraction or inattention has been behind more than a third of all fatalities on SA roads this year. Police have had enough, and will be out in force looking for drivers with phones next week.
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Police will crack down on “selfish” drivers who are inattentive behind the wheel and contributing to one of the biggest killers on the state’s roads.
Officers will be out in force from Monday to Friday next week as part of a highly visible road safety campaign targeting distracted motorists – primarily those using mobile phones.
Of the 71 fatalities this year, 26 have been attributed to distraction or inattention.
The Advertiser last month revealed distraction was the contributor factor in 30 per cent of road deaths over the past 10 years. It has risen to 37 per cent this year.
Traffic Support Branch officer-in-charge Superintendent Bob Gray said police were reinforcing their language around distracted driving, which had been and was still a “major issue”.
“Distraction is killing people on our roads, make no secret about that,” he said.
“There is clearly a section of our motoring community who are just not getting the road safety message or they simply just don’t care who they hurt, including themselves.
“They are making selfish, dangerous and potentially fatal decisions which ultimately have terrible consequences for their family or for other South Australians who they might indiscriminately hurt or kill.”
Supt Gray said every available Traffic Support Branch officer, alongside operational police across the state, would be at various locations using diverse tactics as part of Operation Fatal Distraction.
While using mobile phones is the most common form of distraction, motorists have been warned that any behaviour diverting them from the sole task of driving could result in tough penalties.
Motorists could be charged with driving without due care if they are distracted by other electronic devices, other people or children in the vehicle, unrestrained animals or any other object that a driver may reach for or interact with.
Penalties range from a maximum $2500 fine to 12 months’ imprisonment.
“The focus is enforcement, not education,” Supt Gray said.
“This is a blitz on distracted drivers and we make no apology for using every tactic – both overt and covert – at our disposal.” The fine for using a handheld mobile while driving increased on July 1 from $334 to $534, plus a $60 victims of crime levy and three demerit points.
Meanwhile, a report released yesterday shows South Australia is failing to meet its road safety target to save lives and reduce the road toll by 2020.
The Australian Automotive Association report shows 102 people died on the state’s roads in 2018-19. A national target set in 2011 aimed to reduce road deaths to 80 by 2020.
Creative minds unite to curb road deaths
Some of South Australia’s brightest young minds are working with police on innovative solutions to drive down the state’s soaring road toll.
University of South Australia’s Match Studio is collaborating with SA Police to develop a road safety campaign with a focus on distracted drivers and regional fatalities.
There have been 71 deaths on SA roads so far this year, 50 of which were in rural areas.
Match Studio director Dr Jane Andrew said the semester-long program provided students with real-world experience.
“The students understand client needs, target audience and then develop tools and tactics to address that.”
Police representatives this week briefed more than 60 students, who will pitch their final campaign ideas in November.
Graduate Nicola Day, 25, worked with police on a previous campaign idea to highlight how long it takes for drugs to leave a person’s body.
“We took a preventive measure with the campaign targeting young males and females,” Ms Day said.
Superintendent Bob Gray said he had been impressed with the level of creativity shown in previous years.