Bad habits by SA drivers most likely to attract a fine
Which road rules are most likely see you fined if you break them? And which ones will more likely result in a warning? The RAA has broken it down here.
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Speeding, running red lights and driving unregistered are the most likely offences to hit you in the hip pocket when caught by police or cameras, RAA analysis shows.
The RAA has reported to members on the road rules they are commonly caught breaking, and some surprising findings about how many drivers get off with a caution.
Speeding was by far the most common offence in the 2019/20 financial year, with 199,107 caught, and being charged $82.7m in fines.
And the days of being let off with a caution are rapidly ending, with fewer than one in ten people caught speeding being warned instead of fined.
RAA spokesman Charles Mountain, said many drivers don’t realise even a small increase in speed puts lives at risk.
“Your crash risk doubles for every 5km/h over the limit you go on a 60km/h road,” he says.
Driving unregistered resulted in 35,039 motorists being caught, with police far more sympathetic to those involved, letting 26 per cent off with a caution.
But for the 31,437 caught running red lights there was almost no sympathy, with only one in every 100 caught let off with a warning.
Mr Mountain said red-light running was one of the most dangerous behaviours or lapses of concentration on the roads.
“It is a real danger to traffic and pedestrians about to cross – you have a real possibility of getting T-boned with a potential for serious or fatal injuries,’’ he said.
“Motorists about to get the green light should always check for a red-light runner before moving off — people turning right must ensure the traffic coming towards them has stopped before they turn.’’
Mr Mountain said the number of cautions for failed car registration could in part be explained because renewal was often forgotten, rather than deliberate avoidance.
He said people could apply for text and email reminders through a mySA Gov account.
The same system can remind drivers to renew their licence, he said. Failure to do so cost drivers $4m in the past financial year, when 9422 were caught.
Drink and drug drivers face mandatory loss of licence, but the RAA figures show many other drivers escape with a caution even for serious traffic infringements.
One in every four people caught on their mobile phones is let off with a caution, four in every ten for not wearing a seat belt, as well as half of all those who failed to give way.